Jennie Bruha passed away on Monday, May 24th, 2021, at Capital Care
Norwood hospice in Edmonton at the age of 88. Jennie left us to be with
her Creator following a second bout with cancer and was ready to leave
this world to meet the loving embrace of God our Father.
Jennie Antonette was born to Martin and Mary (Wiechnik) Kurek on
December 29th, 1932, on their farm south of Monitor. Along with older
sister Amelia and younger siblings Marie, Irene and Felix, the children
grew up with first-hand experience of hard work and being poor, which
was a common condition on the prairies in the 1930’s. Walking two and a
half miles to attend Shannon Heights School was part of their routine at
this time.
In 1943, her father purchased the Frank Morris farm southwest of
Consort (present home of Jason and Jodi Kurek) and the family settled in
for what they hoped would be an easier life. Jennie and her younger
siblings could now travel to school in Consort by horse-drawn van.
In the spring of 1944, at the age of forty-seven, Martin died of a
heart attack, leaving Mary to raise the children, run the small farm and
carry on, which they managed to do until 1948. Widowed for six years,
Mary wed Andrew Kunderavich and moved into Consort; the farm was sold to
Amelia and her husband Clay Schooler; and Jennie moved to Red Deer to
finish high school and later on to Edmonton for her nurses training.
While at Red Deer she was voted Queen of Red Deer Composite High School
and in 1951 was a candidate for Miss Calgary Stampede.
Her nurses training took her to Grande Prairie where she met Frank
Bruha who was there on articleship with a chartered accounting firm.
Jennie and Frank were married July 9, 1960 and made their home in
Edmonton where together they raised four boys; Joseph, David, James, Daniel.
The sudden passing of Frank in 1994 was a hard blow, but Jennie
carried on, eventually reconnecting with a friend from her Consort days.
After a long courtship, which almost wore out the pavement between
Edmonton and Consort, Jennie and Pat Wiese married and made their home
in St. Albert for many years until moving into St. Andrew’s Centre in
Edmonton.
With her health failing in the fall of 2020, Pat provided loving
care and devoted companionship until Jennie required more help than
could be given at home. Her final days at Norwood hospice were spent
with family and friends gathered around her, sharing stories and
offering comfort.
Jennie is survived by husband, Patrick Wiese; sons, Joseph, David
(Carol) Bruha, James (Joanne) Bruha, Daniel Bruha (Deanna Ringrose and
her son Ben Tompkins); grandchildren, Matthew, Shannon, Lindsay, Jordan,
Benjamin, Joshua, Robert, Sarah; sisters, Marie Scheffelmaier and Irene
(Preston) Kelts; sister-in-law, Linda Kurek as well as six great
grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom were dear to her
heart.
Jennie is predeceased by her first husband Frank Bruha; her parents,
Mary and Martin Kurek; step father, Andrew Kunderavich; sister, Amelia
Schooler; and brother-in-law, Clay Schooler; brother, Felix Kurek;
brother-in-law, Tony Bruha; and sister-in-law, Margaret Bruha;
sister-in-law, Mary Donovan; brother-in-law, Richard Scheffelmaier.
Faith, Family, Friends and Food made up the fabric of Jennie’s life
– a life well lived by a woman who will be missed by many.
Due to COVID-19, a private Funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Jennie Antonette Bruha 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Edmonton, Province: Alberta