Johanna’s Obituary
Johanna Brenninger passed away at the Invermay Health Centre on April 28, 2020, at the age of 95 years.
Johanna was born April 28, 1925 in Barvaria, Germany. She was the first born of Joseph and Katharina (nee Earl) Brenninger. As a young child, she immigrated to Canada with her parents and siblings in 1930. Settling first in the Englfeld area, the family then moved to the homestead quarter (SE 09 33 09 w2) west of Invermay in 1932. Then in 1985, she moved to the new farm on the hill with Saline lake in perfect view (NE 03 33 09 w2).
Johanna was a busy, busy woman, a very hard worker, and some would say also a bit fiesty. She’s been quoted as saying tongue-in-cheek, “hard work won’t hurt anyone!”, “you looking for a fight?” and “you’ll be lying by the gatepost!”. Everyone who knew her heard these time and time again.
In her younger years, Johanna was an avid curler. In 1958, she travelled to Swift Current with her teammates to play in the Ladies Provincial Playoffs, losing out in the final game.
Accompanying her brother Joe, Johanna participated in the Horse Jumping class at local fairs for many years.
Passionate about animals, Johanna put them before her own needs and felt they should be looked after and cared for always. Her animals were her priority, whether it be Ninni her favorite cat or Piggy and Cheeko just a few of her many dogs.
Coming from a grassroots family, there were always animals at an arm’s reach. At one time, until the age of 87-88, Johanna raised and managed, mostly by herself, nearly 300 head of mixed Hereford/Simmental cattle. She never complained of the work at hand! Being the strong woman that she has proven to be many times over, Johanna had hired help over the years for odd jobs on the farm, but help comes, and help goes! Fresh out of high school, in 1986, Dale Fidek was looking for work. Johanna hired him and he eagerly became her long-time friend and caregiver. As Johanna was never married and had no children of her own, nor any nieces or nephews, she took to Dale and the two of them were a good team, working side by side.
On (Easter Sunday) April 5, 2015, Johanna lost her farm home to a devastating fire. At that time, she was forced to move to town but was determined to return to her farm again. She missed her dogs and the view of the lake, so she had a new house trailer purchased and with help from friends, she moved back to the farm at the age of 90.
Johanna loved the outdoors and didn’t spend much time in the kitchen cooking or baking, but she sure enjoyed a plate of ‘smashed’ potatoes and gravy and could cook a mean cheeseburger for the hired help.
In the spring of 2018, as she required more care, Johanna became a resident of the Invermay Health Centre, where she continued to reside until her passing in the early morning of her 95th birthday, with her caregiver and friend Dale by her side.
Johanna will be lovingly remembered and missed by her friends and family. May she forever rest in peace!
Johanna was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Katharina Brenninger; her brother, Joe, and her sister, Elizabeth Kohel.
She is survived by her sister, Mary (Edwin) Hansen of Yorkton, SK; as well as the many friends and caregivers she considered family.
A Private Graveside Service will be held at the Invermay Cemetery, Invermay, SK, with Rev. Fr. Michael Pajak officiating. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Invermay Health Centre Auxiliary or to the Invermay Cemetery Fund, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Johanna Brenninger.
Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Johanna Brenninger 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Canora, Province: Saskatchewan