Obituary - Jake Braun

In Loving Memory of
JACOB BRAUN

March 2, 1932 - March 13, 2011

Rather than mourn
the absence of the flame
let us celebrate how brightly it burned.
Let’s comfort one another
with favorite memories
of sharing times when we were all together,
Let’s celebrate the spirit of one very special life
So in our hearts the flame will burn forever




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TRIBUTE TO JAKE BRAUN
With Love, by Linda Braun

When Jake asked me several months ago to do the Eulogy at his funeral, I was speechless. What an honour! Even though he has been my brother-in-law for 42 years, I thought surely there was someone else who could better say the things that need to be said, but I am going to give it my best...

How does one eulogize such man as Jake Braun? Jake was a man for all people! We cannot even comprehend how life can continue without our brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and above all friend, who has been our solid rock for so many years.

To Jake’s family: Rita, Terry and Debbie, Donna and Brent, Rick and Deb, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, brothers, George and John, and sister, Anne, nephews and nieces, and Rita’s brothers, we grieve with you in the loss of your beloved Jake. However, Jake showed us unquestionably how we all have to be strong and get through this with dignity and grace, as he did throughout the many years of his illness, right to the very end.

First and foremost, Jake’s family was always the most important aspect of his life. He cherished Rita and adored her special traits that endeared her to him in the first place. She was his soul mate and his right hand. It was his nature to bug the heck out of her – that was his way of showing her how very much he loved her.

Jake’s children made him proud, even when they didn’t do the things he thought they should, or shouldn’t do. He loved them unconditionally and was always there to support them. He had a very good head on his shoulders and you could count on Jake for reasonable advice. He allowed the latitude to take it or leave it, but mostly his advice was right on.


The family enjoyed many outings and activities. Camping, golfing, snowmobiling, fishing and spending quality time at their cabin at Oak Lake were some of their favorites. They also enjoyed many hours popping popcorn, and spinning cotton candy at local fairs with their concession booth. And then there was all that time fixing washing machines and dryers and folding clothes at the Laundromat…

When the grandchildren came, they proved to be “the cream of his crop”. He felt blessed to be so close to Dustin and Tiara as they were growing up. Recently when Jake and Rita and John and I were on a road trip together, we were traveling through Manitoba, and Jake would point out places where they had gone - just hopped into the car and taken the kids to see the countryside. It was obvious that these were treasured memories for him to enjoy over the years. He was tremendously proud of them both as they grew up to be responsible hardworking young adults.

Then, even though their two granddaughters, Lindsey and Randi, lived way out in Alberta, they were a big part of Papa and Palma’s lives - and Jake had somebody new to bug. They knew they could count on Papa for all the love a grandfather could show, and then some. How he loved his girls! And how he enjoyed watching them grow up into beautiful young ladies with lofty goals and good judgment. He never hesitated to tell them how proud he was of who they were.

He ensured that J.J. and Ricky stayed a part of their lives though they lived in B.C., and when they moved to Manitoba again, Jake made sure they felt a part of the family. When Ange and Jeremy, and then Ian became part of the family, he welcomed them with open arms.

Although he never felt old enough to have great-grandchildren, they too enjoyed his attention, which was basically “bugging” with lots of hugs and kisses.

Jake was the glue that held OUR family, the Braun family together, his brothers and sister, nieces and nephews, all of whom he made feel special. We could always count on him for support and good advice, and regular telephone calls just to keep in touch. He was there for each and every one of us.

Then there is Julie’s family, the Puhatches, who adopted Jake many years ago. He felt a part of your family as well, and valued that relationship deeply. And Debbie, who can testify that the love of Jake and Braun family is the reason she is still here today. And Donna across the street who had been like a family member for many years, as well as her husband, John and their children.

We all know that Jake had a way of making people feel very special and good about themselves. It was one of his most admirable qualities.

An enjoyable part of his life for many years was their dog, Jennie. It was so difficult when she died that he wrote a beautiful poem about her. Jake had a talent for writing short stories as well. He was published in The Saskatchewan Senior on many occasions and had planned to write a book about his life experiences.

To get into Jake’s accomplishments in various aspects of his life would take us all day. Suffice it to say, he was probably the best teacher his students ever had; he could run a meeting in the most efficient and entertaining manner so that people were happy to be there; he was an excellent businessman; he never started a project that he didn’t finish; and above all he was the first to volunteer where help was needed, both with friends, and with the many clubs and community organizations he was part of.

As a man who passionately cared about his country, his community and his family, he was also actively involved in politics. He knew Preston Manning and Steven Harper personally and was proud to help the Reform Party get on its feet.

In retirement, he and Rita were able to do some traveling. They went on a teachers’ tour to Greenland, one of the first tours ever to that destination. When Jake was District Governor of the Lions, they traveled all over North America. They enjoyed an extended vacation in Florida and it was a joy to hear them reminisce about their trip to Las Vegas! One of their favorite trips was to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, and most recently, they were totally thrilled to enjoy a cruise to the Bahamas with Donna and Brent. With Jake using a “transporter chair”, aka a wheelchair so he didn’t have to walk everywhere, all four of them went FIRST CLASS and he had many stories to tell about their adventures.

Telling stories was one of Jake’s forte´s. You could always depend on him coming up with a good joke, either in a meeting, or in visiting. His repertoire of jokes was endless, and he was a master joke-teller!

Among the things he enjoyed to do most was dancing! He could dance the feet off of Rita and could not resist dancing at an anniversary party even as late as this past summer.

In the last few years, he became involved with the Brandon Prostate Support Group. From what I gather, attending a meeting chaired by Jake Braun was never a dull event. You never know what he was going to come up with next . . . you either had to get on board the train or you were left at the station!

A general observation: If you wanted to get something done, Jake was the guy to do it. He didn’t have enough time to do all the things he wanted to accomplish. We did see firsthand how excited he was in December when he came home from the Mayor’s office. His proposal about how the City and the Lions Clubs of Brandon could apply for grants and effectively refurbish all of the outdated Community Centres in the City had been favorably received and he was on Cloud 9. This was just a few short months ago.

Recently, I had asked him if he had any items left on his “bucket list”. Those of you who have seen the movie will know what I am talking about. Although he had put some of the things he would have liked to do on the back burner, his reply was “Not really”. That answer was a testimony as to how Jake had lived his life. He did it all, and extremely well. He had met and married his sweetheart; he had an exemplary career as a teacher and educator; he had traveled to every place that he ever wished to; he had met so very many people in so many avenues of life who called him “friend”; he had rubbed shoulders with people in high places; he had his share of fun and fulfillment, right to the very end. What more could a man ask?

Rita, you will always carry Jake “right here”, but now life takes on a different dimension for you. We know these last months helping Jake get through this have been hell on earth for you. But what an admirable job you have done. No man could ask more of his wife than you gave to Jake. We know he appreciated every second of his time with you. We pray that you can find the strength to carry on and find much happiness in the years to come.

Terry, we know that your Dad was also your best friend. The excellent heritage he has passed on to you is the best gift he could have given. Hold tight to those family values that meant so much to him.

Rick and Deb, you made the Friday night card games the highlight of Jake’s week over these last years. We know you will miss those times of love and laughter. Your happiness meant everything to Jake and it warmed his heart to see that you had finally found it.

Donna, you are your father’s child and we know that you realize that with pride. You showed us your Dad’s heart as you were at his bedside and supported your Mom throughout his illness, right to the end. And Brent, emblazoned in our memories is the classic birthday invitation – in disbelief, we watched Jake, who could barely walk, walking around the table and getting down on one knee to invite you to his birthday party – then the realization set in that there was no way he could get up off the floor without help from us!

Jake was thankful for his many blessings and he had made his peace with God in his last years. Now, he is living away from us, but we know he is in a better place. We are certain that Heaven is blessed by his presence, and he is surrounded by all those of his family and friends who have gone before. We all know that Heaven will never be a dull place with Jake Braun there!

Some of you may have heard the following “wish” before, but I am certain it would be what Jake wishes for all of us here. It is called “Enough”:

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.



(Awesome Southern Gospel song)
IF YOU ONLY KNEW
by the Inspirations

If you only knew
I’m just going home
Your prayers are all answered
My sickness is gone

Things are much better
From Heaven’s view
The sun always shines
We’re having a time
If you only knew.


SMILE, LOVE LIFE, I DID!!