MORRIS BRAAT

1931 - 2009

Marinus “Morris” Braat, beloved husband of Sjaan “Jane” Braat, father of Karen (Jeff) McCallum of Lethbridge and Clary (Mike) Fox of Calgary and Opa of Justin, Gillian, Deanna and Luke, passed away in Bow Island on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at the age of 77 years.
He is also survived by his brothers, John (Bep) Braat, Peter (Mildred) Braat, Jake (Shirley) Braat, Fritz (Lisa) Braat, Casey (Katie) Braat, and sister Ann (Hank) Koot.
He was predeceased by his parents Jacobus and Johanna Braat, and his brother Gerry and sister Joke.
Morris was born April 11, 1931 in Het Schyf, Holland. He, along with his family, immigrated to Southern Alberta in 1953 to fulfill his dream of owning his own farm. In 1959 he returned to Holland and met the love of his life Sjaan Vissers, whom he married July 23, 1960. Morris farmed in Coaldale until 1969 before moving his family to the farm in Bow Island, February 28, 1970.
The farm in Bow Island fulfilled his dream to farm independently and successfully. He loved to see things grow and grow abundantly. He couldn’t wait to get out into the field in the spring and more often than not required a tow out of a wet spot. Farming was a source of pride until the end of his life. He never considered retirement, rather continued to farm including a seeded winter wheat crop waiting for the spring 2009 thaw.
Above all, a happy and close family meant the most to Morris. He was very proud of his daughters’ accomplishments and very involved in their lives. He welcomed their husbands, making them feel special and a part of the family. He dearly loved his grandchildren, who added another layer of joy to his already enriched life. Opa always had four toonies in his pocket.
For nineteen years, Morris and Jane found their oasis in the desert. They looked forward to their winter escapes in Arizona each year. Those years were truly happy - golfing and socializing with good friends.
Morris found his passion restoring antique Farmall tractors. He could take a seized engine of a tractor, long abandoned in a field and restore it to its former glory. Morris also became an avid flower gardener. He planted hundreds of gladiolus every spring in order to bring bundles of fresh flowers to his cherished wife Sjaan. He designed a greenhouse out of an old stock rack to start his bedding out plants each spring. Morris loved golfing at the Bow Island Golf Course. He particularly enjoyed the senior golf mornings and of course - coffee with his friends afterwards. In recent years, he really enjoyed his coffee buddies.
Morris was highly regarded by everyone he met. He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed something. He possessed a gentle friendliness and always made people feel welcome. He had a way of putting others before himself. He was always genuinely interested in how you were doing. He sustained this quality right until the end of his life living out his motto “Be Kind to Each Other”.
Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 1113 - 1 Street East, Bow Island on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 7:30 P.M.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 1113 - 1 Street East, Bow Island on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Fred Monk Celebrant. A private Family Burial to follow at the Bow Island Cemetery.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Morris’ name may be made directly to Bow Island Emergency Services, Box 1127, Bow Island, Alberta T0K 0G0.