I’m just a passing through
My treasures I’ve laid up
Somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me
From Heavens open doors
And I don’t feel at home in this world anymore.
On October 18, 2024, peacefully, with family by her side, after a courageous battle with a brain bleed, Margaretha Braun, aged 96 years, passed into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father.
What a joyful reunion she will be having with her loving husband Ed, her son Ron, son-in-law Gary, her parents, stepmother, parents-in-law, two sisters, 5 brothers, 4 sister in laws, one brother in law, and many other family and friends.
She will live forever in the hearts of her children Joyce, Leona, MaryJane, Dianne (Tim) and Terry (Donna), 11 Grandchildren, 14 Great Grand children, her sister Ann (Bill) Fehr, brother Harry Hildebrand, sisters in law Evelyn Hildebrand and Martie Hildebrand, many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Mom was born Oct 31, 1927 at her home in the Greenfarm district northeast of Winkler. She was the third oldest in a family of ten children, having six brothers and three sisters. She shared memories of getting up early to milk cows, of skating on the outdoor rink her brothers built, of rides in her dads Ford Model T coupe. In winter they would ride the horse and sleigh to get to church, to school and to visit friends and family. Mom attended Kronsgart school until Grade 8, after which she was needed to stay home and help on the farm. Mom attended catechism classes and was baptized upon confession of her faith at the Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite church in May 1948.
Moms first job outside the home was for the Toews family at their store in Kane where she would prepare meals for the family, their borders and staff. It was during this time that she caught the eye of a young man named Ed, who was a customer at the store. Ed would use many excuses to have to go to the store and he finally had the courage to ask mom out. They started dating, fell in love and Dad proposed for Valentines Day in 1952, they were married September 7th of that year. Valentines Day was always extra special to Mom and Dad throughout their 64 years of marriage.
Mom and Dad would make their first home in Kane, and later in Winkler, Lowe Farm and Morris. They were blessed with five children. Memories of growing up in Lowe Farm include raising chickens, collecting eggs, church and school activities, gardening. Family vacations included trips to Niagara Falls, the west coast and Kenora. As we grew up and got married and started having families of our own, Mom always welcomed each new addition with open arms. It didn’t matter to her how they joined our family, they were just family.
Mom was a woman of many passions. First and foremost her faith in God, which formed her life and sustained her through the mountain tops and valleys of nearly 97 years of life.
She told us that when her and Dad got married they decided that they would have devotions together everyday and to her knowledge they never missed a day. She continued this after Dad’s passing. Those of us who had the privilege of joining her in her devotional time always came away so blessed as we witnessed first hand her close relationship with her Heavenly Father and her earnest prayers for every member of her family. Those prayers will be missed. Mom and Dad were founding members of the Grace Mennonite Church in Winkler, and also were members of the Lowe Farm Bergthaler Church and Morris Mennonite Church. Later on, they enjoyed attending Seniors Bible camps around the province and made many dear friends at those camps.
Mom loved to volunteer - being involved in many areas in church; singing groups, serving groups, teaching Sunday School, sewing layettes for MCC, ladies groups, serving at Union Gospel Mission, MCC store to name a few. Mom and Dad were still delivering Meals on Wheels well into their 80s.
Mom had the gift of hospitality. Sunday’s especially, our home was often filled with guests, eating great food, playing games and visiting until late at night. Mom was fiercely competitive at games, particularly crokinole, she did not let us win! Mom would often prepare Sunday lunch before we went to church and then after church she would invite over whom ever she felt led for lunch. It might be a visiting pastor, a newcomer or single people. Sometimes, with a twinkle in her eye, a single man and a single woman!
Mom loved a party, and she was always so blessed as so many joined us to celebrate milestone birthdays and anniversaries.
Mom had an amazing green thumb, always growing large gardens and working till late canning and processing fruits and vegetables for the winter months. Her Million Dollar relish was priceless!
At the age of 50, mom started working full time in Housekeeping at the Morris Hospital and worked there 15 years. After her retirement from the hospital, she managed the Morris MCC store for five years. Her and Dad also owned and operated the Morris Card and Gift Store for ten years after that.
Somehow she found the time to start quilting as well. Over a period of about 15 years she made full size quilts for each of her children and grandchildren.
Mom survived several serious illnesses including breast cancer in 2007 and a brain bleed in 2017, which kept her in hospital for three months. Dads passing was very hard on mom, she missed him so much. There were also many dark days after her son Ron passed away two years ago and more recently, her son-in-law Gary.
After Dad passed, Mom moved back to Winkler to Garden Park Estates. Although the move was difficult for her, she enjoyed the activities, church services and music nights as well as the fantastic meals provided there. Mom spent many hours knitting, embroidering and completing word search puzzles.
Mom, your influence will continue to shape our lives forever. You were good and kind and loving and faithful. We already miss you terribly, but we take comfort, knowing that you and Dad are together again.
We love you Mama Bear, til we meet again.