Braun Frieda Thiessen (1914-2000)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 2000 Oct 20 p. 32

Birth date: 1914 Jun 23

text of obituary:

FRIEDA BRAUN

Frieda Braun of Virgil, Ont. passed away July 24. She was born in 1914 in Blumenfeld, Ukraine, one of 7 children of Heinrich and Helena Thiessen. At 5, she lost her father. At 15, she accepted Christ. She studied to be a midwife, but stopped her studies because she refused to accept communist teachings. In 1933 she married Jacob Janzen. Before their second child was born, they were forced to flee. Jacob died in prison. Weak and ill after childbirth, she was excused from farm labour at the collective in Einlage and was reassigned to office work. Here she met Peter Braun. In 1943 they fled to the West, but she became separated from Peter and her family. They were reunited in Germany. They married in 1946. In 1948 they went to Paraguay. Here they were baptized. Daughters Elfrieda and Hedwig were born. In 1957 they immigrated to the Niagara area of Ontario. In 1996 her health began to fail. In 1999 she was diagnosed with breast, then bone and lung cancer. She remained at home, and daughter Helene provided full·time care for her. She suffered broken bones, but, when asked how things were, said "Look up". Predeceased by Jacob and a grandson, she is mourned by Peter; children Frank, Helene, Elfrieda and Hedwig; 8 grandchildren and 5 great·grandchildren. The funeral was July 28 in Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, with Ben Falk ministering.