Ignatius Braun
January 28, 1928 - October 19, 2012
With great sadness the family of Ignatius Braun would like to announce his passing on Oct. 19th at the Victoria Union Hospital, Prince Albert. Iggy was born on January 28, 1928 in Mor, Hungary, but grew up in the neighbouring town of Aka. Growing up, Dad and his brothers Marton and Joe did adult work on the farm because their father was usually conscripted in one army or the other. Often there was very little food and they lived on the fruit and nuts the trees produced. In 1944 they were kicked out of their home and put on boxcars and shipped to Czechoslovakia. The young teenagers on the boxcars did what they could to feed the women and children. When the war was over they returned to Aka but their homes were occupied. They eventually went to Germany and Dad worked in a Uranium Mine and at different farms until he escaped East Germany and came to Canada with his mother in 1950. And despite all these hardships Dad would tell his stories and just laugh and make you laugh too. In Humboldt Iggy would meet Mary Furedi who also had come from Hungary. They bought land six miles from LeRoy. There Iggy and Mary raised three children and worked many hours to raise crops and animals. Dad was especially proud of his pig operation. Dad was a very proud member of the Holy Rosary Church in LeRoy. He often said being in the church was like being home. He totally enjoyed LeRoy and its people. Dad had many friends and made new ones all the time. He was not afraid to speak his mind and had many opinions on current events. He loved to make people laugh and usually had some profound advice. In later years, Mom and Dad moved to town and they bowled, he curled and played cards. They were always on the go. Mom and Dad travelled to Europe and California twice, they made 14 trips to Vegas. They visited their grandchildren often and helped their children with great generosity. Dad had many very difficult times in his life like the death of his father Frank in the war, his sister Anna (1946), his brother Joe (1973), his mother (1995) and his wife Mary in 2005. But like so many other times he would pick up the pieces and carry on. He was a humble man with tremendous spirit and a golden heart. Iggy leaves to mourn: his son Steve (Debbie) Braun of Calgary, AB, and their children Chad (Leah), Chelsea (Brent) and their children Hailey and Ari, and Cody; daughter Mary Ethier of Prince Albert, and children Mandy (Bob) and Dena and their dad Henri; daughter Anna Braun(Bob Layh) of Saskatoon. In Atikokan, ON, Dad has a sister-in-law Emma Braun and five very special nephews and nieces: Dennis, Garry, Linda, Lorraine, and Marianne and all their families. Dad has a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Vera and Jim Furedi and two special nephews Jim and Bob and families in Lorette, MB. Dad has a brother-in-law and sister-in-law Leslie and Donna Furedi in Fernie, BC, and special nephews Steve, John and Michael and families. Dad's cousins include the Verbeke and Harpauer families of LeRoy. Many nephews and nieces live in Hungary, he was fortunate to have a special visit from the Hungarian nieces Mary and Theresa in 2008. Dad had numerous friends in LeRoy and Humboldt: his Smear buddies, bowling partners, farming friends, and coffee row regulars. The Schweighardt family, who had also come from Aka, Hungary, were also life-long friends from Humboldt. After Iggy moved to Prince Albert, he made numerous friends at Northcote Manor and the Columbian Center. With his good friend Becky, he enjoyed the morning coffee group at the Co-op. He truly appreciated all the people who helped him and joked with him at the Co-op Grocery Store, the Cooperative Clinic, and the Prince Albert Credit Union. The Prayer Service for Iggy was held at Holy Rosary R.C. Church, LeRoy, on Monday, October 22, 2012, at 7:30 p.m., led by Dianna Knaus, Greg Johb, and organist Leona Wakelam. Scripture readers were Mandy Ethier and Dennis Braun, and the eulogy was delivered by Mary Ethier and Mandy Ethier. The Funeral Mass was offered at Holy Rosary R.C. Church on Tuesday, February 23, 2012, at 10:30 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Paul Paproski, OSB. Scripture readers were Mandy Ethier and Dennis Braun. Dennis also led the intentions. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Iggy's life". Active pallbearers were Cody Braun, Chad Braun, Dennis Braun, Garry Braun, Rod Furedi and Joe Schweighardt. Interment followed at Holy Rosary Cemetery, LeRoy. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Holy Rosary Church Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
