Ernest (Ernie) Braun
1933 - 2011
Peacefully, with his beloved wife Mary at his side, Ernie Braun passed away at Boundary Trails Health Centre on July 4, 2011 at the age of 78.
Born in a farming community, Ernie spent his early years on the farm with his siblings honing his sense of humour and keen intuitive mathematical skills while learning the art of farming. At the tender age of 19, he was driving around the country roads with a buddy when he spotted a pretty young 15 year old girl walking home. Having seen her before at her aunt and uncle’s, he knew that he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to offer her a ride. Five years later, Ernie and Mary began their married life together as a farming couple in Ridgeville, Manitoba. They worked together on the farm until 1961 when they moved west of Carman, Manitoba with two young children and carried out the remainder of their farming years, adding a third child in 1970. Ernie and Mary fully retired from farming in 2001 after selling the majority of the farm and moving to Winkler in 1994.
Ernie lost his father in a farming accident in 1958, which impacted his life deeply and instilled in him a deep faith and commitment to God. Ernie and Mary served for many years as Deacons in their church, at Graysville Mennonite, Carman Mennonite, and the EMMC in Winkler. For a while, they even served as youth leaders when their youngest daughter was a teenager.
Friends and family remember Ernie’s sense of humour and quick wit. He always had a one-liner or silly joke to share. When he got together with his brothers, the stories that were told and the “Braun belly laugh” could be seen and heard by all nearby. For several years, family Christmas included a gift-exchange game instigated by Ernie. When the kids wanted to stop the tradition, he decided to purchase all of the gifts himself so that the game could still be played. Even in 2010, when Ernie was becoming weaker, he made sure to provide all of the gifts for the game at Christmas and thoroughly enjoyed watching everyone play.
Ernie is predeceased by his parents, Johann and Sara (nee Boehlig) Braun, brother-in-law, Henry Nickel, brother-in-law, Henry Wiebe, sister, Helena Wiebe, brother, Peter Braun, and father-in-law, Ben Kehler. He is survived by numerous brothers, sisters, and in-laws; his wife Mary (nee Kehler), children, Charlotte (and Harry) Fehr, Calvin (and Kathy) Braun, Colleen (and Kelly Kafka) Braun; Kathy’s three daughters and their families; grandchildren, Angela (and Eric Larocque) Fehr, Tanya (and Chris) Schrof, Malaurie Fehr; and great-grandchildren, Messina, Jaide, and Brady.
A celebration of Ernie’s life took place on Friday July 8, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at the EMMC in Winkler. Interment was prior at Winkler Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ernie’s memory to either Children’s Camp International 300-571 Main St. Winkler, MB R6W 1E8 www.ccicamps.com/or CancerCare Manitoba 675 McDermot Ave. Room ON 1160 Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9 www.cancercare.mb.ca/.
Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler
In care of arrangements
wiebefuneralhomes.com