Family’s Precious Elvis Chair Lost In Christmas Parade Chaos

WAUKESHA, WI— Brayden Kading, 9, and his late great-uncle, David Wagner, were two peas in a pod. Brayden's mother, Alexandra Brauch, said the laid-back duo would often spend time together, sharing a soda or playing ball.

Brauch and her two children — Brayden and 7-year-old Adalynn — attended the Waukesha Christmas Parade on Nov.21 where six people died and more than 60 were injured when a car jumped the barricades and drove into marchers.

Wagner, 57, died in December from COVID-19. His great-nephew borrowed something for the parade that was special to Wagner — an Elvis themed camping chair that he received as a gift years ago. The chair was even displayed next to his picture at his memorial service.

With the chair in tow, the North Prairie family huddled together for some holiday cheer.

Adalynn, who decided to wear high heels to the parade, sat in the car after her feet started to hurt.

The afternoon of holiday fanfare then took a scary turn.

"I remember a cop running along the sidewalk telling everyone to run," Brauch said.

Brauch tried to get her daughter's coat on and grabbed both kids without taking anything with them.

"We just needed to run. I didn't know what was happening," she said.

The family was in the Waukesha Library for two hours along with other parade spectators and participants. It wasn't until they left the library did they understand what had happened.

"I told my kids someone had come through the parade and hurt a bunch of people," she said.

A librarian stayed with the kids while Brauch went to get the car. Brayden asked about the chair but it was missing from where the family sat during the parade. When the city allowed the public to gather their belongings a day later, the chair wasn’t there.

"It was one of the last few things that reminded him of David [his great-uncle]," Brauch said.

An Elvis And People Fan

Wagner was a familiar, friendly face around Waukesha, said Donna Hogan, his twin sister and caregiver.

Hogan said he loved Waukesha and people. Wagner, who had down syndrome, would walk around the city and say hi to everyone. He was also a huge Elvis fan.

"He would try anything. He would go camping, fishing, and loved to travel," Hogan said.

On a family trip to Las Vegas, Wagner’s face lit up at the Elvis impersonators.

"He loved his family and wanted them around him," Hogan said.

As a tradition, the family would attend the Waukesha Christmas Parade, drinking hot chocolate as they watched the floats go by.

"We went every year. We would just sit and people watch," Hogan said.

The Elvis chair stayed in the family and Brayden borrowed it for the parade.

"He [Brayden] always wanted to use the chair whenever he could. He knew it was David's and they had a very close bond," Hogan said.

Hogan posted on Facebook about the chair and has received an outpouring of support.

"It was such a tragic event and this is a material thing. But I wouldn't do it if it didn't mean so much," Hogan said.

The family says they just want the chair back, no questions asked.