Braun, Mary Justine, age 72 years of Swift Current, SK. passed away July 11, 2010 at the Palliser Regional Care Centre. Mary was born at home on September 18, 1937 to David and Maria Giesbrecht. She was the oldest of eleven children. Mary started school at Reed Valley then her parents moved to Gouldtown purchasing what would become their homestead. Mary then attended Rolland School. She quit school in Grade 8 when her Father had a farming accident and needed her help with the farm. As her brothers got older Mary went to work for various people in the district doing housework. At a wedding in 1955, Mary met a handsome young man named George Braun. They started dating a few years later in 1958. Mary was baptized in the Sommerfelder Mennonite Church in 1959. On July 10, 1960 Mary and George were united in marriage. They worked on a farm in White Bear, Saskatchewan and then moved to Main Center. Here they were blessed with the birth of their first daughter, Elma Mary in June of 1961. They moved to Glen Kerr working on another farm. Then moved to Central Butte where they were blessed with the birth of their son, Eldon George in January 1963. In the spring of 1964 Mary and George moved to Swift Current. Here they were blessed with their second daughter, Vel Katherine in June. George took a job at Cindercrete Block Manufacturing, and Mary stayed home to look after the children. In November of 1968, they were blessed with their last child, Thelma Jane. In 1972 Mary and George purchased 40 acres of farmland 5 miles east of Swift Current. Here they started building a home and several outbuildings. They moved to farm in the fall of 1973. Mary would plant a large vegetable garden every year to provide for her family. It was almost one acre in size. There were always plenty of potatoes and vegetables to last through the winter. On the farm Mary also found her love of animals. She would go to great lengths to save the weak and the small. When one of the neighbors showed up one very cold night with a box of seven piglets, his sow had passed, and he knew if anyone could save them, it would be Mary. She bottle fed the piglets for two days and then taught them to eat on their own. From this litter, Mary got her pet boar Billy, who she could take anywhere. She would just put her hand on his back and say "Come on Bill, lets go" and he would go anywhere with her. In December 1979 Mary lost her youngest brother Henry Frank in a car accident. The loss hit Mary really hard and she was always afraid something would happen when anyone was driving on the highway in winter. In Apri1 1981 she lost her Father in law, Jacob Braun to a heart attack. In July 1985 George and Mary celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary. She had prepared most of the food for this occasion, with the help of her daughters. She had a tireless energy for this type of preparation but some how would always make far too much. Mary never wanted anyone to go hungry. When she was asked about why she made so much, she would say, "we will need to send some home for tomorrow." Mary loved to teach and take care of children. She taught D. V. B. S. at the church during the summer and taught Sunday school during the winter. Mary looked forward to the Sunday School Christmas program and would have the children prepare for a few weeks before hand. Not an easy task with 3 and 4 year olds, but they would recite the lines right after her. Mary also babysat for many different couples in the church and community. There were usually many children playing together under Mary's watchful eye. Mary was diagnosed in the fall 1996 with Alzheimers disease. She felt that there was nothing wrong with her and didn't want to go to the Day Program at the Prairie Pioneer Lodge, she wanted to find a job instead. So they found her a job at the Lodge in the Day program. They had her fold laundry and chat with other patients, telling stories and sing for them. The illness progressed; on October 4 1998 Mary was permanently placed in the Prairie Pioneer Lodge. The Funeral Service was held at 2:00 p.m. on July 19, 2010 from Zion Mennonite Church with Pastor Herman J. Wiebe officiating. The organist and Pianist were Olga Heinricks and Grace Funk. The life tribute was presented by Joanne Richert. Ushers were Bill Braun, Hank Dyck, John Woelk and Clarence Zacharius. Pallbearers were Philip Braun, Wes Braun, Eugene Giesbrecht, Edgar Peters, Mark Peters and Keith Wilkins. Honorary Pallbearers were all who shared in Mary's life. Mary is survived by her beloved husband George; her children Elma (Victor) Engel, Eldon Braun, Vel (Rob) Burns, Thelma Jane Braun; sisters and brothers, Margaret (Ron) Wiens, Dave (Shirl) Giesbrecht, Bill (Evelyn) Giesbrecht, Agnes Schultz, George (Maureen) Giesbrecht, Martin (Judy) Giesbrecht, Sarah (Peter) Harder and Anna Wilkins; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jake (Irene) Braun, Elizabeth (Jake) Teichroeb, Emma Peterson, Willie (Diane) Braun, John (Rosella) Braun, Henry (Sheila) Braun; her aunts Agnes (Abe) Giesbrecht, Henrietta Friesen and Minnie Woelk, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents David and Maria (Friesen) Giesbrecht; her brother Henry Frank Giesbrecht; sister Martha Susan Giesbrecht; mother and father-in-law Jacob and Katherine Braun; sisters-in-law Maria Braun and Marg Braun; brother-in-law Doug Wilkins. Mary will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by her family and friends. In her memory, friends may make a memorial donation to the Saskatchewan Alzheimer Association. Warren's Funeral Home in care of arrangements. For further information please call 773-8831 or visit our website at www.warresfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to the family in our book of condolence.