BRAU, Rosemary

Rosemary “Rose” Brau

1963 – 2020

Rosemary Brau, our beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully after a brave battle against ovarian cancer on Monday, June 16, 2020 at Chinook Regional Hospital. At the young age of 57, she is gone too soon.

Rose is survived by her mother Eva Brau of Shaughnessy; fiancé Brian Tokai; sons Brandon (Caitlin) Silsbe, Matthew (Mindi Forsyth) Silsbe; granddaughters Della and Nora Silsbe; brothers Hans (Barb), Bernard (Theresa), Michael (Colleen), Peter; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father Hans Brau Sr., her brother Richard Brau, and niece Beverly Brau.

Rose was born in Lethbridge on January 22, 1963 to Eva and Hans Brau, and was the only girl among six children. Rose grew up tough and strong from the start, surrounded by her five brothers. She spoke often of helping her mom in the garden, stirring the sauerkraut pot in the basement, and other fun small-town times growing up in Shaughnessy.

Rose married Barton Silsbe and they had two sons together, Brandon and Matthew. They raised their boys in Picture Butte, and although their marriage came to a close, Rose and Barty remained friends, and loved watching their boys grow into men, creating lives and families of their own.

Rose worked at the University of Lethbridge cafeteria for a number of years, before working in Picture Butte at Dorothy Dalgliesh School as their head custodian. Rose loved working at the school and continued to volunteer there as a teacher’s aide throughout her cancer treatments. She was always telling stories of students and what mischief she herself got into, particularly in the grade four class. Rose loved children. Especially her grandbabies. To say she was a spoiling grandma is an understatement. Della and Nora were her pride and joy, and we wish she had longer than 3 years and 9 months with her special little ‘peanuts’.

Rose and Brian Tokai struck up relationship that lasted for over 15 years. She became a welcome addition to the Tokai family. Their love and bond was something that could not be broken, and they shared many happy years together; camping, watching football (Rose cheering on the Patriots while Brian cheered the Steelers), going to Bully’s with friends, playing football picks around town, and happily sharing their lives together with their dogs Molly and Bandit.

Rose loved vacations, especially ones taken with her besties Lori and Rena. She was planning on taking a trip with her family, before her latest cancer relapse. To say Rose was a fighter does not do justice for how brave and courageously she battled cancer. She was so strong, to the very end.

A private family service will be held on June 27, 2020 at Mountain View Cemetery, once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Flowers are gratefully declined. For those who wish, Memorial Donations may be made to Dorothy Dalgliesh School, P.O. Box 370, Picture Butte, AB, T0K 1V0, towards their school wide Nutrition Program and/or their school wide Field Trip fund on Rose’s behalf.

Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.