Astrid BRAUN

1936 - 2022

November 9, 1936 - July 22, 2022

Astrid Doris Braun, nee Duwe, was born 85 years ago in Kulm, Poland. Mother of Kathleen (Chuck) and Christopher (Lori). Wonderful Oma to Kayla (Mike) and Quinton (Sarah). Big sister to Ron Gottschalk. Predeceased by beloved husband of 60 years, Vic Braun (2016), parents, Alice Gottschalk and Johann Duwe, and step-father, Willy Gottschalk. When Astrid was 2, she moved to East Berlin. Fortunately, they survived the war years safely, in part, because her uncle owned a grocery store. In 1949, when she was 12, she and her mother escaped out of East Germany, hidden in the back of her uncle's truck, while he bribed the guard. They spent 3 weeks on a cattle boat, which then docked in Quebec City. After grade 8, she was forced to quit school to work full-time. At this point, they were living in Montreal. Virtually all of her earnings went to helping pay for household expenses. She later picked up her studies and completed her education through night school. Astrid met Vic, the future love of her life, through his sister when he was in the Army. They corresponded for a year, had one date, then married, (she was 19, he was 21) while he had 3 days' leave. They lived in Germany for 2 years when he was posted there. They had to decide where to live after he left the army: the short list was Brazil, where Vic had relatives, or Kitchener. They had a Volkswagen Beetle, which they were going to drive to Brazil, had that been the choice. After living on Shanley St, Kitchener, they moved to Longwood Drive, Waterloo when Kathleen was 5 and Chris was 1, so Kathleen could start school there. Astrid worked part-time as a secretary for the City of Kitchener, Parks and Recreation, at Breithaupt Centre, while the kids were young, then eventually worked full-time out of City Hall and Victoria Park Pavilion. During this time, she became involved with the Christkindl Market. After retiring, she stayed on as Christkindl Volunteer Committee President. Through retirement, she only seemed to get busier. For many years, she was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, a German-language Kaffeeklatsch, attended Probus meetings, belonged to 2 book clubs, instructed disabled skiers through Track 3 at Chicopee, was an avid supporter of the arts, notably KW symphony and Drayton Entertainment, volunteered with the Red Cross, and was active with the Hemophilia Society. Astrid and Vic loved their monthly hikes and social time with the Intrepids. Astrid and Vic travelled extensively ¬including ski trips, cruises and Europe. They introduced Kathleen and Chris to Europe in 1972, then took them on many family ski trips into their teenage years. Astrid loved being an Oma. She taught Kayla how to ski and took her annually to see The Nutcracker ballet, and maintained a very close relationship with her throughout her adult years. Both grandchildren spent countless mornings breakfasting in bed with Oma while she ate her burnt toast. Several times, in recent years, Quinton attended the KW symphony with her, as her "date". Kathleen was convinced her mom had a connection to everyone in Kitchener/Waterloo, and even knew most of them personally, including the mayor, the police chief and the fire chief. "Even in her sixties and seventies, my mom had more energy than I ever had". She learned to ski and windsurf in her late thirties. Astrid was very proud of her many volunteer awards. She enjoyed engaging in radio and television interviews for the Christkindl Market. She crocheted and knitted hundreds of beautiful clothing items, and taught classes in both. She was a prolific NYT crossword puzzle completer and reader, and always delighted those around her with her wits and wisdom. In April, Astrid was given the diagnosis of terminal cancer. She made the most of her short time left peacefully reading, doing crosswords and visiting with friends and family. In complying with Astrid's wishes, there will be no visitation nor funeral services. Cremation has taken place. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Bruce Trail Conservancy, KW Symphony Orchestra, or Mennonite Central Committee are welcome. This can be done online at brucetrail.org, kwsymphony.ca or mcccanada.ca, or through Henry Walser funeral home at henrywalser.com or 519-749-8467. The family would like to thank the nurses and PSWs at St. Joseph's Healthcare Centre in Guelph for their care and attention over the last few months. The family would greatly appreciate any messages of condolences and/or stories of Astrid to be made via the memory wall link on the Henry Walser website, so that they may be shared with others. From Astrid to all of her friends and family "I'm so happy we had this time together."

Visit www.henrywalser.com for Astrid's memorial.