Irene Braun

Irene Braun passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, March 22, 2020 at the Meadows in Swift Current, SK.

In light of the current COVID-19 protocols and social distancing, a formal Funeral Service is unfortunately not possible at this time. A tribute video and slideshow put together by the family will be posted to the funeral home website.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so Thursday, March 26, 2020 at a come and go visitation from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Swift Current Funeral Home. Per Sask Health protocol, if you have been out of the province in the last two weeks, we would respectfully ask you not to attend. Sanitization and social distancing protocols are in place at the funeral home that we would ask everyone to observe upon entering the building.

The Private Family Interment Service for Mrs. Irene Braun will take place from Hillcrest Cemetery, Swift Current, SK.

In memory of Irene Braun, donations made to MCC would be appreciated by the family.

Irene Braun, age 89, passed on to her heavenly home and into the arms of her Lord and Saviour on Sunday, March 22, 2020 at the Meadows long-term care facility in Swift Current, SK. Irene was born March 3, 1931 to Peter & Helen Wiebe on the family homestead near Herbert, SK. She was raised in a loving Christian home and grew up attending church whenever possible and listening to church services on the radio.

She attended the Schoenthal school, just northeast of Herbert, where she received her grade eight education and also attended summer Bible school during the summer holidays. Irene was baptized in August 1948 at the Mennonite Conference Church in Herbert. Her favourite passage of Scripture was Psalm 23:1-2, “The Lord is my shepherd — I shall not want. He maketh me lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me beside the still waters, He restoreth my soul.”

Irene began working at a young age, carrying five-gallon pails of water to their neighboring farms. While she was working for a local farmer, cleaning and cooking, she met a handsome man named Jacob Braun, who was working there as a farm hand. They were married on October 23, 1955 and farmed just north of his parents farm. The moved into Swift Current in 1965, where they lived until their passing. Irene had many jobs throughout her working career — at a poultry butchering plant, the Southside Coop bakery, janitorial at the Wheatland Mall, and cleaning and cooking at the Swift Current Bible Institute.

Irene was brought up with traditional values and learnt the skills that a woman of her era should — cleaning, cooking, baking, sewing, quilting, crocheting, and embroidery. She made sheep wool quilts for all of her children and grandchildren. She was also very talented at crocheting and made many lace tablecloths and doilies. Irene had an amazing green thumb and was a talented gardener. She loved animals and spent as much time as she could outdoors.

Every Sunday was family time — going to church, dinner, and faspa. She volunteered many hours helping in the church kitchen, teaching Sunday School, and playing piano. Irene also volunteered for the Ladies Auxiliary at the EMC Church and helped out at MCC auctions.  

Irene was so proud of her grandchildren and always showed her love, caring, and support by attending all their school and sporting events, and being there for everyone, always willing to help or just listen. Irene was always happy and smiling.

Irene is survived by her two daughters, Marilyn (Warren) Rya and Junene (Edgar) Peters; her grandchildren, Cory (Vicki Pattison) Rya, Michael Rya, Mark (Dallas) Peters, and Kris Peters; her sister, Betty Ohman; and by her sister-in-law, Evelyn Wiebe.

Irene was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Jacob Braun Jr., in 2016; her daughter, Julene Braun, in 1956; a stillborn son in 1957; her son, Walter Braun, in 1959; her parents, Peter, in 1980, & Helen Wiebe, in 1978; her brothers, Elmer Wiebe, in 1999, and Alfred Wiebe, in 2017; and by her brother-in-law, Stan Ohman.

The family wishes to thank House 14 at the Meadows long-term care facility and the Swift Current Funeral Home for their excellent care.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Irene Braun, please visit our floral store.