EDWARD GERHARD REINHARD KAUN
August 1, 1936 – April 23, 2023
How do you possibly summarize 86 years of living in one short article? Ed Kaun (as most people knew him) had many great loves in this life: his wife of 66 years, Jeanne; his children Calvin (Cindy), Karl (Bev), Wendy (John) Brunetta, Wayne (Sherry), Les (Pam), and Roy (Michelle); his 13 grandchildren -Nathan (Laura), David (Rhiana), Kristen, John Paul (Kati) Brunetta, Jesse Brunetta, Chris (Jill), Matt (Nichole), Brittany (Will) Anderson, Jamie (Chantal), Nick (Chelsey), Emily, Jessica, and Dylan; and 14 great-grandchildren (with the 15th due any day) - Elliott and McKenzie, Ty Trapp, Aliyah George, Gabriel and Ruby Brunetta, Dahlia, Violet, Lily, Fern, Boden, Riley and Tessa Anderson, and Bowen. His other great loves included the cabin on Jackfish Lake, bowling, and hockey. Ed had a very close relationship with his two sisters Elaine (Len) Braun, and Shirley (Gaston) Camirand, and his in-laws Roseanna Tweedie, and Alcide (Angele) DeGagne. Ed was predeceased by his parents Gerhard and Theresa Kaun, and son Karl.
Ed also held very strong beliefs: an unwavering belief in God, belief in hard work, and belief that some day, the Maple Leafs would win the Stanley Cup. He was particularly strengthened by the ministry of Pastor Jacob Quast and the congregation of the Church of the Lutheran Hour.
Ed began demonstrating his strong work ethic at Flinders Dairy at the age of 17 then moved on to 28 years as a millwright and then Supervisor at the local pulp and paper mill. Both of these full-time jobs were done while also running a construction business with his sons. In 1977, Ed, Jeanne and the boys constructed the family business west of Fort Frances – Ed Kaun & Sons – which was a huge source of pride for him.
In 1967 Ed, along with many friends and family, constructed the cabin on Jackfish lake. This was Ed’s sanctuary where he spent many years fishing, playing, and of course, working. His son-in-law John will miss competing with Ed for fishing bragging rights and miss his card partner in beating Jeanne and Wendy in smear (almost every weekend).
In 2020 Ed was diagnosed with cancer but, in true form, he dug in for the fight. Throughout his treatment, Ed was sincerely touched by the wonderful medical professionals that saw to his needs. The family would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere thanks to the doctors and nurses at LaVerendrye Hospital who made treatment in the cancer centre and his final days in palliative care, as comfortable as possible; as well as the doctors and nurses at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre and the Cancer Centre.
A prayer service will be held on Friday, May 12 at 7 pm at the Church of the Lutheran Hour, with funeral services being held on Saturday, May 13 at 10:00 am also at the Church of the Lutheran Hour.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to either The Church of the Lutheran Hour Memorial Fund or the LaVerendrye Hospital Cancer Care Centre.
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26