ANNE BRAUN (née Willms), born in Grassy Lake and long-time Lethbridge resident, passed away peacefully while in the care of Sunny South Lodge in Coaldale, on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at the age of 89 years.
Anne is survived by her daughter Valerie (Robert) Proudfoot; brothers John (Olwen) and Henry (Verna) Willms; and five grandchildren: Christopher (Sarah), Jennifer (Adrian Barrett), and Joshua (Maxine) Edwards; Annora and Alicia Proudfoot; and five great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.
She is predeceased by her husband, Rev. David Braun, daughter Lenora (Mike) Edwards, parents John and Anna Willms, baby brother John and sister Verna Shurgelo.
Anne’s life was one of dedication to serving God. From her childhood on the farm near Grassy Lake to young teacher in Mennonite Voluntary Service in Ontario, as a matron to orphans in Wetaskiwin, and then as a pastor’s wife in Canada and the USA in several General Conference Mennonite Churches. When her father died, Anne and David returned to Lethbridge so that she could care for her mother. In Lethbridge she continued to share the gospel with Friendship Evangelism and together within the Lethbridge Mennonite Church. Anne was on her own for 26 years after Dave died; then she moved to Alberta Rose Lodge and Coaldale Sunny South Alzheimer’s Unit.
A Celebration of Anne’s Life will be held at LETHBRIDGE MENNONITE CHURCH, 4303 – 3 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Ryan Dueck officiating. A reception will follow at the church hall. Donations can be made to Mennonite Central Committee, 1117 – 2A Avenue N, Lethbridge, AB, T1H 0E6.