Tribute

Heinrich Braun was born in Rosenbach, Chortitza, USSR, now Ukraine, on August 9, 1942, to parents Heinrich (Isaak) Braun and Katharina Wiebe Braun.

When he was a baby, his family fled the Ukraine and made it to Germany as refugees with other Mennonites fleeing the Ukraine.  They lived in Germany for several years, moving around several times. His father had been taken into the German army and died when he was 2 years old.

When he was 5 years old the family was resettled as refugees in Neuland Colony, Paraguay.  This is where he grew up. He talked of how very hot it was there and how he had to plow the field all by himself with horses when he was 12 years old.  He also told stories of snakes and swimming in the cows’ watering hole.

When he was 15 years old, the family moved to Clearbrook, BC, where some of his siblings were already living. His memories of the trip include being sent to Asuncion ahead of the rest of the family, before flying out of Paraguay.  This was the first time he felt he had a holiday as he didn’t have to work, and he could explore the city on his own.  This was a great adventure for him.

Arriving in Canada as a 15 year old, he worked in construction and in the hop yards on the Sumas Prairie, living on the farm where he worked. He also talked of swimming in Mill Lake.

When he was 17 years old, the family decided to move to Germany. Here he had the opportunity to go to school, and he had training as a machinist.  This is what he did for the rest of his working life.

When he was 22, he moved back to Canada as he had several siblings still living here.  He ended up living and working in Vancouver where he boarded with a German family.

Heinrich married Maria Dueck on February 15th, 1969, in Vancouver, and 9 months later their daughter Sandra was born.  Henry joined the family in 1973.

His health started to deteriorate several years ago. First with a severe foot infection that didn’t heal, and then with dementia and cancer.  He began to need a lot of help navigating the many doctor’s appointments and paying bills, etc.  Maria stepped in to help with all of the daily appointments and needs and took great care of him. He lived the last 8 months in a care home, where she visited often. Towards the end she was with him around the clock until he passed.

Heinrich leaves behind his wife Maria and their children Sandra with Sig, and their children Lukas and Rebecca (husband Derice and great grandson Judah), and Henry with Kristen, and their children, Joel and Sarah.  He also leaves behind 3 sisters and 2 brothers.