BERNARD (BEN) K. BRAUN

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BERNARD (BEN) K. BRAUN October 17, 1919 - February 17, 2012 The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him! Lamentations 3:22-24 New Living Translation Ben Braun passed away peacefully at Donwood Personal Care Home surrounded by family. A practical, trustworthy and dependable man, Ben expressed his faith through a life of service. He came to his own belief in Christ as his Saviour in 1940 at Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna. During the Second World War his Christian belief led him to choose service as a Conscientious Objector. He worked on farms and in lumber camps until the end of the war in the spring of 1946. In Winnipeg, Ben was a charter member of Bethel Mennonite Church and Elmwood Bethel Church, which later became Burrows Bethel Church. Ben served in leadership capacities at church and with Eden Mental Health Centre, Bethel Place and The Gideons. Family was a very important part of Ben's life. He was born the seventh child in a family of 13 to Abram A. and Sara Klippenstein Braun. The family farmed in the Altona, Manitou and Sperling areas. Ben loved to tell stories of his childhood adventures with his brothers (nine) and sisters (three). Ben married the love of his life, Katie Wiebe, in May 1946. They started a family in Winnipeg with their first born in November 1947. Ben worked in various jobs until he found work with a heating and electrical supply company (Amesco) where he retired after 33 years of service. Ben and Katie settled in St. Vital and raised four sons and two daughters. Ben was a supportive father and father-in-law to his children and their families. Ben and Katie loved being grandparents of their eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. As Katie's health declined he faithfully cared for her and kept her company. Ben loved to travel and best of all, to drive. It didn't really matter where he ended up as long as there was someone to visit at the end and a route home again. Summer camping trips were highlights for the whole family. He was also an excellent repairman and fixed almost anything. In his later years he enjoyed woodworking. Ben was a very organized person who kept his papers and household in order. Katie and Ben were a great team in stretching resources to provide for their growing family. Ben and Katie enjoyed volunteering with the MCC Thrift Store in their retirement years. Ben is predeceased by his wife Katie, his parents and his brothers David, Martin, Tom, Henry, and Abram. He leaves to grieve his passing his children Harold (Lois Sterner), Esther Wiebe, Vernon (Gloria), Alan (Ev Beaudry), Lois (Siggi Holzhaeuer), and Tim (Marian); his grandchildren, Corinne Audet (Jules), Amanda Honke (Lannie), Cameron Wiebe (Meghan), Gabriel Wiebe, Christopher and Heath Braun, Lucas and Katrina Holzhaeuer; and his great-grandchildren Alex and Larissa Braun, Eliza and Chad Honke. Also mourning his passing are his surviving siblings, Bill, Olga Penner, Peter, John (Sue), Lydia Crundwell (Barton), Hilda Klassen (Jack) and their families. The family appreciates the care and compassion provided to Ben by the staff of Donwood Personal Care Home, Unit 3E at Concordia Hospital and Dr. Carl Duerksen. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mennonite Central Committee or Donwood Manor Foundation Inc. Funeral at Bethel Mennonite Church, Saturday, February 25, 2012, 11:00 a.m. Viewing at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.mb.ca 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 24, 2012