Mary Braun

Mary Braun, nee Hamm, aged 98 of MacGregor, passed away peacefully, on December 19 th , 2024, at the MacGregor Care Home.

She leaves to mourn her children, Bernie (Eleanor), Art, Albert, Leonard (Pam), Vera (Glenn) Loewen, Arnold (Olga), Evelyn (Dave) Wieler, 24 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, 1 sister Elma Thiesen, and numerous nieces and nephews.

 She was predeceased by her husband Jake in 1981, 1 grandson, 3 sisters, 2 brothers, numerous in-laws, and many friends.

 Mom was born to Andrew and Margaret Hamm on July 17, 1926 in the village of Neubergthal, Manitoba. She was baptized upon the confession of her faith in Jesus Christ and became a member of the Sommerfeld Mennonite Church on May 20 th , 1945. On November 9 th , 1947 she married Jacob Braun, with whom she shared 33 years. They were blessed with 5 sons and 2 daughters. They lived at Altbergthal the first 9 years of their married life, and north of Winkler for the next 8 1/2 years. Then, in 1965, they moved to north of MacGregor, where they farmed for 16 more years, until Dad’s passing in 1981. Mom stayed on the farm for 20 more years, then in 2001 she moved to Hampton Courts in MacGregor, where she lived until 2016. For 8 1/2 years she resided at the care home, 6 of which she was in a wheelchair. She reached the age of 98 years, 5 months, and 2 days.

 In Mom’s single years, she was very involved in the farmwork at home and enjoyed time spent with friends and family. She also hoed sugar beets and worked at Bethania Home, north of Winnipeg. As a wife and mother, she made sure that food was always abundant. She had a special gift for making pies, baking many for us as a family. She also used that gift at the bakery in MacGregor for a number of years, after Dad’s passing. Desserts were a priority. In Mom’s words, “chocolate ha eck noch neemols off yezagt” (I have never refused chocolate). Mom was diligent in the things she did. She preferred to melt snow and collect rain water for soft hair and laundry and line-dry for freshness. She didn’t like anything to go to waste (something she had learned in the 30s). She crocheted afghans for her children and embroidered and sewed quilts for her grandchildren. In her care home days, she painted designs on pillowcases for all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mom loved nature, birds, full moons and gardening. She often talked about her trips to Alaska, the east coast, and Pennsylvania, that she took with friends. She also loved singing and was a part of the church choir. She would often be found whistling tunes in the house. Mom always enjoyed company and the visits were often filled with a lot of laughter. As a widow, the car also helped her socialize. When she moved into MacGregor she was close to friends again, like the village life of her growing up years. Family gatherings were a highlight for her. She loved seeing all the grandchildren and would be concerned if any of her children weren't there. Throughout her years, she has also had her times of sorrows and struggles, which probably helped her to empathize with others. She was a selfless person, displaying servanthood.

 We, the family, would like to sincerely thank those who have visited Mom over the years and all who have prayed for us. We would like to thank the staff at the MacGregor Care Home for the compassionate care Mom received and Clarke’s Funeral Home for their kindness and care. Thank you to all who are helping with the funeral in any way. May God bless you all.