BRAUN, Annie-Marie

March 29, 1933 — October 30, 2015

Extended Life Story Anne Braun Anne was born on March 29, 1933 as “Annie-Marie Pauls” to John and Mary Pauls of Arnaud Manitoba. It was a very muddy day as her dad hitched the fastest horses to a buggy so that he could travel to Arnaud and pick up Grandma Nachtigal to be the mid wife. Here are the memoirs of her early life: I was born in a little place in Manitoba known as Arnaud. Actually, I used to say that I was born in a barn, because we lived in a house that was attached to the barn. I spent the first fourteen years of my life living with my folks in my grandparent’s house. This meant that all family dues took place at our house, about 80 people for Christmas and Easter. My grandmother was an invalid when I was 10 and I would be her little nurse. I can understand now why I enjoy hospital visitation so much. I can very well remember the day she died. It was during this time of her being an invalid that I came to realize that I needed God. Life would not carry on, and grandma would not live forever. Whenever there was a meeting at church and grandma would need a sitter, I would be the one to stay at home with her. This one evening, I wanted to go to church with my folks and grandpa, so I remember asking mom for permission. She then arranged for a cousin to sit with grandma. That night I just knew from what the preacher said, that if I were to die, I would not be prepared to meet God and be ready for heaven. I knew grandma was, so I also wanted my “ticket to heaven.” That night I realized that I was sinner and needed Jesus… I prayed and just simply asked God to forgive and cleanse me, which He did right then and there. I remember the joy I had. I wanted to tell everyone. I have one brother who is seven years younger than me. We didn’t have much in common until our teen years, so consequently, I would be at the neighbours who had fourteen kids – all my cousins. When I was about fourteen, these relatives all moved to Ontario and I was left alone. I was the only girl in my age group for all the years until I was married. I entered grade 10-12 in a Christian high school in Winnipeg and people – WOW! I loved them. We had young peoples again. Every weekend I would commute the 50 miles back home no matter if there was rain, snow or mud, so that I could attend Sunday School in the morning and afternoon. Then I would drive back to Winnipeg for Monday morning. After high school, I went to summer school and then had a job as a teacher in the one room school I had attended as a child. My brother was in grade six and was my oldest student. There were ten other students. … I took a job in the Winnipeg Medical Clinic and worked there for five years. After that I decided to go back to school, and this time to Bible College in Winnipeg. I spent the next two years there and continued to work at the clinic on holidays. It was during those years in Bible College that I met the one great hero of my life. In January 1959, Fred Braun asked me out for our first date. In February, we went to a great concert and then on March 29 (my birthday) he proposed to me. On June 2 we were engaged and on August 29 we were married (from Hand In Hand). One year later, in the summer of 1960 they moved to Clearwater with their newborn son, Douglas, where they lived for 20 years. Soon after, Kelvin and then Bart were added to the family. As well, Edwin Kong, a college student who had moved to Clearwater for work also became part of the family. Anne was involved in many areas of community life including church, hospital work, Bible camp, Sunday school, choir director, substitute teaching, secretarial work, visitation and volunteer work. She also helped Fred build their house where she entertained many people for meals and get-togethers. In 1979, when Fred accepted a new teaching position in Kelowna at the Okanagan Bible College, Anne quickly found a new circle of friends at the Alliance Church. Once again, she found fulfillment by surrounding herself with people and ministering in whatever way she could. This included hospitality, teaching Sunday School, hospital visitation, greeting in the foyer and Bible studies. Family was very important to Anne. It was during the first year in Kelowna, that her middle son Kelvin was killed in a tragic car accident. Her character was displayed towards the driver of the car who was convicted of manslaughter, as she not only forgave him, but regularly kept in touch with him in prison. In 1983, her oldest son Doug married Karen and the family grew. She affectionately called Karen her only girl and said that she brought joy back into the family after Kelvin’s passing. Anne loved on her two grandchildren, Caleb and Tobias, who for many years lived in other cities. After travelling to be with them, or moving in while Karen travelled, she played games, taught them how to bake and enjoyed their company. She also kept in constant touch with her son Bart, who lives in Vancouver. Almost every day she would talk by telephone and enjoy the times they were able to visit together. On many occasions she affirmed her love for her youngest son who was a teacher like his dad. Many stories could be told by the hundreds of people that Anne touched through her conversations, Bible studies and the countless phone calls she made just to encourage. She ministered to everyone she could with a servant’s heart and a desire to see people drawn closer to her God. Then it was on June 24, 2012, that her husband Fred passed away and went home to be with the Lord. Even in her last years, after loosing Fred and having to move into a care home, Anne continued to reach deep into the lives and hearts of many people. Someone said of her, that her ministry expanded the more she was confined to her room. Praise God for the telephone! One of her favourite verses from 1 Timothy 6:15 proclaims her trust in God, that He is the blessed controller of all things. On Friday, October 30, 2015 Anne peacefully departed this earth and, with one last breath, entered her new home in heaven. She will be missed by her loving family and friends, but we anticipate the joy she is experiencing as she is reunited with her Lord, Fred and Kelvin. She is survived by her sons: Doug (Karen) Braun of Kelowna, grandchildren Caleb (Emily) of Edmonton, Tobias (Renee McAlpine) of Kelowna; Bart (Rodelio) Braun of North Vancouver; Edwin (Daisy) Kong of Coquitlam; grandchildren Emily (Mark) Gestrin of Port Moody, Francis (Vivian) Kong and great granddaughter Noel of Calgary; brother Werner (Marg) Pauls of Niverville MB. She was sadly predeceased by her husband Fred in 2012 and son Kelvin in 1980. There will be an opportunity to pay respects and visit with the family Thursday, November 5 from 7:30-8:30 pm at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Rd.  A Memorial Service will be held on Friday November 6 at 1:00pm at Mission Creek Alliance Church, 2091 Springfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alliance Missions. For those wishing to send a condolence, photos or share memories, may do so by scrolling down this page to the area called “Share Your Condolences”.