Braun, Peter A. (1888-1963)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Dec 12 p. 8

Birth date: 1888 Jan 17

text of obituary:

PETER A. BRAUN

Peter A. Braun, the son of Abraham and Elizabeth Buller Braun, was born Jan. 17, 1888, in Henderson, York County, Neb. He spent his youth in Texas and Oklahoma and attended schools there.

In the summer of 1907 he moved with his parents to the community of Kirk, Colo. Here he came to know the Lord as his Saviour. He was baptized by Rev. Abraham Heinrichs and joined the Mennonite Brethren Church at Joes, Colo. in September 1913.

On Oct. 16, 1913, he was united in marriage to Margaret Klassen. We spent the first years of our marriage on a farm near Kirk, Colo. Our seven children were born here.

He had a deep love for his Lord and tried to serve Him in his home, church, and community. It was his desire that our home be open to missionaries, ministers, and friends. He had a special love for music and would often gather his family together for a time of singing hymns.

Since March, 1935 we have made our home in the Reedley, Calif. community. He made a comfortable livelihood for our family by farming.

In 1942 our father learned of his diabetic condition. His health was comparatively good in the years that followed until 1961 when he suffered a heart attack.

We celebrated our golden wedding anniversary in October of this year, with all our family present.

Our father underwent more surgery on Nov. 15. He suffered very much the last few weeks. He slipped away quietly to be with the Lord about 5:00 a.m. on Nov.25, 1963. He reached the age of 75 years, 10 months and eight days.

He leaves to mourn his departure, his wife; three sons, Calvin Braun of Dallas, Oregon, Franklin Braun of Salem, Oregon and James Braun of Dinuba, Calif.; four daughters, Esther, Mrs. Ed Ratzlaff of Kingsburg, Calif., Dorothy Braun of Fresno, Calif., Maurien, Mrs. Henry Sawatzky of Reedley of Reedley, and Caroline, Mrs. Frank Gilstrap of Fresno; three sons-in-law; three daughters-in-law; five grandsons and eight granddaughters; one brother, Jacob Braun of Reedley; three sisters, Mrs. Mary Warkentin of Reedley, Mrs. Katie Warkentin of Enid, Okla., and Mrs. Susie Warkentin, Dinuba.

The memorial service was held in the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church with Rev. Henry L. Janzen and Rev. Harry Neufeld officiating. — The Family.