ELIZABETH BRAAT of Coaldale, Alberta passed away on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at St. Therese Villa at the age of 91.
Bep Koot was born on January 28th, 1931 in Reeuwyk, Holland. Although she was born and raised on a dairy farm, she never milked a cow. She was the dedicated cheesemaker in the family until she was 30 years old. She always told the family she was going to Canada and in 1961, she married John Braat, who had immigrated to Canada in 1953 and was already farming there. Without knowing any English and being a homebody, she followed her new husband on a great adventure to a new land in Coaldale, Alberta. With encouragement, she got her driver’s license and kept very busy raising four daughters born within six years and being dad’s helper on the farm. The coffee was always on and homemade treats were on the table almost instantly. Meals cooked from scratch were on the table on time, the girls were dressed well in mom’s home sewn clothes, the house was in order and the flower beds looked good. Mom learned to milk the cow and stack hay by hand and drive tractor. She was very strong in body and mind and worked hard. Her hands were always moving as she found time to be creative in sewing, knitting, crocheting, making rosaries and many other crafting projects. She loved sharing these projects with the grandchildren and St. Ambrose CWL and anyone else who admired them. If you complimented a toque she had made, the next week, she had one made for you too. What she enjoyed most was the family get-togethers around a table of delicious food and grandchildren sleepovers. Mom and Dad were a great farming team until 2013, when they retired into Coaldale. Dad passed away in 2014 after 53 years together.
Bep is survived by her four daughters Joanne Harris (Dave), Mary Horst (Murray), Elsie Friesen and Wilma Braat (Etienne Poulin), her grandchildren Melissa, John, Adam, Jacqueline, Peter, Mary and Dorothy, and her great-grandchildren Hadley and Otto, her sister Nel, her brothers Piet, Dirk, Hank (Ann) Koot, in-laws Mildred Braat, Jake (Shirley) Braat, Fritz (Lisa) Braat, and Case (Katy) Braat.
She is predeceased by husband John, her brothers Jan (Mien) and Andre (Nel) and sisters Reit (Martien) and Mien (Toon), in-laws Riet Koot, Janny Koot, and Jan Houdijk, Morris and Jane Braat, Peter Braat, Gerry Braat, and Joanne Braat.
A sincere heartfelt thankyou to Eric and Josie and all the staff in the dementia unit of St. Therese who cared for mom and took the time to discover her sense of humor.
A Prayer Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, on Wednesday, Nov 16th, at 7:00 P.M. with Deacon Cliff Bogdan officiating.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. AMBROSE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1513 23rd Ave, Coaldale, AB, on Thursday, November 17th, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Ian Gagne celebrating. Interment at the Coaldale Cemetery to follow.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Braat Elizabeth January 28 1931..
Death notice for the town of: Lethbridge, Province: Alberta