Anne Braun FOREVER YOUNG IN HEART AND SOUL
Ann Braun died peacefully in hospital, surrounded by family, on February 27, 2010 at the age of 92 years. Born in Chaplin, Saskatchewan January 7, 1918 Anne lived a full and active life. She was raised in the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg who believed the sincerest form of worship to God is to lead a useful life. That God is infinitely loving and at the very center of our beings, that our life on earth is temporary and meant to prepare us for a life in heaven.
Anne’s early years were spent in Makaroff, Manitoba where she lived with her parents Margaret and Jacob Friesen and 15 brothers and sisters (some who died at a very young age). Anne was second oldest in her family. She was born into a generation that believed education was only for men; however her father believed otherwise and paid for Anne to get an education. Anne was a feminist before the term became popular. She lived through times of war. She lived through the lean times of the “dirty thirties”. Always politically minded and well informed she believed women “should have the right to vote”. Anne believed whatever men do women have to do fuller because so much in life depends on them. Anne married David Braun in Togo Saskatchewan on January 28, 1936 and was married for 48 years before becoming a widow in 1984. Anne spent most of her married life in Yorkton Saskatchewan where she and her husband raised 12 children. Anne and David left Yorkton and spent a brief time in Saskatoon before retiring to Kelowna in 1978. Life was not always easy but it was full and useful. Anne is survived by her children: Ken (Ollie) Braun of Kelowna BC; Wayne (Linda) Braun of Ferndale Wa; Neil Braun of Sarnia On; Albert (Joyce) Braun of Saskatoon Sk; Terry Braun of Regina, Sk; Marlene Braun (Blake Roberts) of Kelowna; Darlene (George) Sawatzky of Saskatoon Sk; Sharlene Braun of Kelowna BC; Sharon (Shane) Reece of Yorkton Sk; Daughter in laws: Patricia Braun of Kelowna BC; and Sandra Zimmermann of Kelowna BC. Numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Anne is also survived by her sister Edna Charzewski of Winnipeg MB and her brothers: Henry (Clementine) Friesen; Ernie (Florence) Friesen of Cranbrook BC; Raymond (Pat) Friesen of Beaverlodge AB; Pete (Mary) Friesen of Surrey BC.
Anne was predeceased by her husband David Braun (1984); her daughter Marjorie Anne Porsch (2000); her sons: Clarence Peter (Pete) Braun (1983) and Theodore Allan (Teddy) Braun (1977); her Sisters: Agnes Kuttnick and Tina Alguire; her brother Dave Friesen; and her granddaughter Patricia (Patti) Wilkins.
Anne loved life and lived it to the fullest. She loved to spend time with her family. She loved to travel. Anne loved music and she loved to dance. Anne was a member of the OK Corral line dancing team for many years and she continued to attend “senior” dances until very recently. Anne was also a regular in the yearly Polar Bear Dip in Okanagan Lake and “dipped” for the last time at 81 years of age. In summer months she could be seen riding her 10 speed across the bridge from Kelowna to the Westside to get to the water slides. She gave up her bike at 75! One of Anne’s disappointments in life is that she never got to bungee jump....they refused her because of her age!
We will miss Anne. We will grieve for ourselves because this remarkable woman, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Friend, and Mentor, who enriched our lives, has left us. But do not grieve for Anne because she is dancing with the angels. Please join Anne’s family in a celebration of her life at Springfield Funeral Home Thursday, March 4, 2010. 1:00 pm. Anne, Forever young in heart and soul, and forever in our hearts.