Lorne Edwin 'Ed' Braun, 59

Lorne Edwin “Ed” Braun, 59, went to his eternal rest on July 26, 2009, surrounded by family and friends at Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane due to a sudden stroke.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009 at Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sandpoint, Idaho, with Pastor Steve Nickodemus officiating.  Inurnment will be in Pinecrest Cemetery at a later date.

Ed was born in Denver, Colo., on Aug. 22, 1949, to Lorne Vincent and Lela (Coffin) Braun, where his family was assigned with the U.S. Air Force. He enjoyed growing up as a military “brat” as it afforded him the opportunity to tour the world with his family. He lived in Colorado, Arizona, Italy, Texas, Japan, and Idaho.

He graduated from high school in San Antonio, Texas, then enrolled at Boise State University. While in college, Ed worked the summers for the U.S. Forest Service in Idaho and Montana as a firefighter.

During this time, Ed really became involved with two of his life’s passions, fishing and hunting.

One of his proudest trophies, a near-record prize kamloop hung in his den for years. His fishing enthusiasm extended to several family trips to the Oregon Coast where he truly enjoyed his deep-sea fishing adventures.

While an avid hunter for most of his adult life, the camaraderie of the hunting camp later replaced his desire to take game. His joy became the great stories, excellent food, and time spent with his hunting buddies.

Upon graduation, Ed began a 30-year career with the Panhandle Health District. His first assignment was Bonners Ferry. There he met the love of his life, Annette LaFever, and they were married in 1981. After moving to Sandpoint, they were blessed with two exceptional daughters, Lindsey and Morgan.  Ed and Annette spent countless days in gymnasiums and soccer fields watching their children play sports.

Ed was a member of Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sandpoint. He was a wonderful husband, an extraordinary father, and an exceptional friend to many.

He was preceded in death by his father and his older sister, Cheryl. He is survived by his mother Lela and younger sister, Amelia, both of Boise, Idaho; and by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews from all over the United States. Ed also leaves a big part of himself with all of his many friends and colleagues, all of whom were a very important part of his life.

Ed was such an easy-going and gentle man, that one could not help but like him. This enjoyment of Ed was, in part, due to his outstanding qualities of integrity, honesty, and compassion. The world is a far better place for having someone such as Ed.

Memorial donations may be made to the Spokane Shriner’s Hospital, PO Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210; Bonner Community Hospice, PO Box 1448, Sandpoint, ID 83864; or to the charity of your choice.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements.  Please visit Ed’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.