Dirk Elmer (Braun) Braun

Dirk Elmer Braun, beloved father and grandfather, passed away at the age of 96 on Sunday January 18th , 2026, at the Brooks Health Centre, with his son by his side.

Dirk was born on September 28, 1929, to John and Susannah Braun on the family farm near Hussar, Alberta. When he was six, his family moved to a farm in Ge,m where he resided for over eighty years. Dirk received most of his schooling in Gem and spent one year at Alberta Mennonite High School in Coaldale. He then received a scholarship through his involvement in 4-H to attend what was then called the Olds School of Agriculture. He graduated from Olds with a diploma in agriculture in 1949 and returned to the family farm. When his parents retired to Calgary in 1958, Dirk purchased their farm.

In 196,7 Dirk married Peggy Hampshire, a nurse from England who was working in Bassano. They had two children, Gail in 1968 and Andrew in 1970. They spent many good years together on the farm. In 201,8 Dirk finally retired from farming at the age of 88, and he and Peggy moved to Playfair Lodge in Bassano. After Peggy's passing in 2021, Dirk remained at the lodge until the fall of 2024, when he moved to Sunrise Gardens in Brooks.

Dirk loved farming, especially cattle. He was proud of his cattle and kept a few even in retirement. He often said he would die owning cattle, and he did. He also owned horses for much of his life, and there is a dugout in the Gem grazing lease known to many as Dirk's Dugout, as he was bucked off his horse there at an age when he probably shouldn't have been riding. He enjoyed visiting Gail and her family on their farm, especially his epic quad rides with grandson Gavin. After his retirement, he also enjoyed visits to the farm in Gem to see his cattle and see what Andrew was doing. Just this past fall, he rode in the combine with Andrew and went to the auction to see his calves sell.

Dirk could occasionally be found off the farm. In his younger days, he enjoyed playing hockey and curling. He was involved in several of the amateur plays that the Gem community produced in the 1970's and 80's, usually in comedic roles. He and Peggy enjoyed traveling, and made several trips to England to visit Peggy's family, and made a big trip to Australia and New Zealand in 1993. He enjoyed attending cattle sales, 4-H shows, and rodeos. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and could sometimes be somewhat of a bad influence. He was also an avid reader until his eyesight made reading difficult, and was especially interested in local history.
Dirk is survived by his daughter, Gail (Glenn) Amendt, son Andrew (Janet) Braun, his grandchildren Phoebe Amendt (Aaron Plamondon), Gavin Amendt, and Amy Amendt (Kayle Cotton), as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Susannah Braun, and his siblings Katherine, John, Frank and Anne, as well as four siblings in infancy. He was the last of his generation.

At Dirk's request there will be no formal service. A private family gathering in his memory will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank the staff at Sunrise Gardens and Playfair Lodge for their care and kindness in Dirk's last years.

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