Irvine Leonard Braitenbach

It is with sad hearts that we announce the death of Irvine Braitenbach, 97 years of Lanigan, SK, on Saturday, July 2, 2022.

Irvine was born April 29, 1925 to Wilhelm & Natalia Braitenbach, on the family farm near Jansen, the 6th of 7 children. He lived on the farm until 1943. Having turned 18 years old, he reported to the War Office where he was assigned to work in a factory in Ontario, building munitions & armoured vehicles for the Canadian army in WW2. After the war, he returned to Jansen to farm with his father.

Music was a big part of Irvine's life from a young age. Never having had a music lesson or having learned to read music, he taught himself to play the piano and accordion. He formed his first dance band while he was still in school. Members came and went over the years, but Irvine continued to entertain people with his music throughout his entire life.

Irvine married Ella Hoffman of Daphne SK on January 7, 1951. They made their home in Jansen, and welcomed their firstborn son, Timothy Irving, in 1954. And in 1963, they adopted a year old baby girl, Shellee Rose.  At that time, they built a new house on the family farm, while Irvine's parents retired to a house in Jansen. 

Over the years, besides farming, Irvine also worked for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance, served on the board of directors of the Jansen-Esk Credit Union, and was involved with council of Zion Lutheran Church in Jansen and later, Trinity Lutheran Church in Lanigan. 

Irvine and Ella retired to Lanigan in 1980. And even though he was no longer actually farming, Irvine's love of growing things continued right until the end. Every year he planted and tended 2 large vegetable gardens, one in town and one at the farm, and also a large potato patch. He kept his entire extended family well-fed, as well as many friends and neighbours. 

Irvine's life was long and well-lived, and he was well-loved. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Ella, son Tim (Laurie), daughter Shellee (Brian), grandchildren Tyson, Jenelle (Jimmy), Kaleena (Jesse), Ashlee (Marlon), Catlin (Miranda), and great-grandchildren Isaac, Sedric, and Talia.

Irvine was predeceased by his parents Wilhelm and Natalia, a brother in infancy, brother Gustave and his wife Margaret, brother Arthur and his wife Margaret, brother Dan and his wife Dorothy, sister Elsie and her husband Harry, brother Walter and his wife Sylvia.

Heartfelt thanks to the nursing staff of Humboldt District Hospital for their great care and kindness to Irvine in his final weeks.

A Funeral Service for Irvine was held on Saturday, July 9th, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. from Trinity Lutheran Church in Lanigan, SK.  Interment followed at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Lanigan, SK. A Memorial Lunch & Fellowship was held Lanigan Community Hall, following the interment. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to your favorite charity in remembrance of Irvine.