Bruno and Susan (Kaufmann) Cey

Bruno Cey came to Canada as a young man, in February of 1912 from grass
and flowers of Europe, to snowdrifts and minus temperatunes on the
Canadian prairies.  This was a shocking contrast but pioneers had not
heard the expression "drop-out" and rather were identified with ths
terms, sacrifice, courage, faith and endurance, combined with
neighbourliness.

Bruno's roots were in a small village in Coisny, Poland, some fifty
kilometres east of Lodz, Poland.  He came with his cousin, John Barth,
on that big adventure across the ocean -- a wonderful experience except
for the spells of sea-sickness, which drinking black coffee seemed to
cure.  Bruno could only speak Polish and German, but John could speak
the language of  the "new land", so was the interpreter.  John was
already establised in the "new land" and had been back to Poland for a
visit.

When they arrived in Saskatchewan they stayed at Rosthern where Bruno,
and a friend staying with him, attended classes at a Mennonite School
all that first winter, to learn the English language.

Bruno's first residence after that was the Ulsifer farm, 15 kilometres
north of Radisson, Sask, he remained there under the guidance of his
aunt, Mrs. Ulsifer, until 1916 when he turned twenty-one years of age.
His first employment on his own was grain buying for the National Grain
Company at Hafford, Sask.  He also bought grain at several other small
towns in the province until 1919 when, at the invitation of his cousin,
Conrad Ulsifer, he came to Leipzig to try his hand at farming.  This was
more to his liking so he continuted on with farm work, going to work on
the Jacob Kaufman homestead, several miles southeast of Leipzig, now the
home of Bernard Cey.  On February 17, 1925 Bruno Cey married Susan
Kaufman in St. Pascal's Church, Leipzig, Sask with Father Bieler
officiating.

Susan, the youngest child of Jacob Kaufmann and Susan Meyer, was born
November 30, 1904 and came to Canada with her parents, brothers, John,
Anthony, Joseph, Leo, and Jak and her sisters, Mary Rohs (who now makes
her home at Poplar Courts, Wilkie).  They came from Altus ARkansas, USA
to the Leipzig district in 1906.

Susan got her education at Medina, a little country school and one year
at the Ursuline Convent in Bruno, Sask., where she completed the eighth
grade.  Susan worked as a clerk in her brother Anthony Kaufman's general
store in Leipzig until her marriage to Bruno Cey.

Bruno and Susan had twelve children: Pauline, (Mrs. Charles Schwebius),
John, William, Leo, Theophilla (Mrs. Joe Keller), Robert, Martin
(deceased in infancy), Bruno, Bernard, Joan (Mrs. Pius Fischer), Donald
and George.

Bruno and Susan suffered many hardships during the depression years.
>From 1933 to 1935 -- the worst of the depression -- they moved with
their family of little children to a house near Leipzig so the children
could have the advantage of attending a Catholic school.  The good Notre
Dame Sisters helped prepare the children for Holy Communion.  Back at
their farm home once again they continued to farm and survived the
depression years, with its dust storms, low prices for farm produce,
etc.  To help the family income everyone pitched in, milking cows,
raising pigs, chickens, turkeys and a large garden.  Susan was an avid
gardener and the celler was stocked with hundreds of quarts of canned
vegetables and fruit for the long winter months.

Bruno farmed with horses until the 1940's and then, made the transition
to tractors and combines.  Bruno was a true horseman and was famous for
his horse-trading.  He witnessed many changes in farming methods.  There
was little leisure time.  Bruno did enjoy reading and he and Susan
enjoyed a friendly game of cards with friends and family.

Bruno and Susan moved to Wilkie where they enjoyed many years, living
quietly and enjoying the simple things of life.  Family was alway
stopping by giving them no time for loneliness.  Bruno and Susan were
visited by Sophie and Mary, Bruno's sisters, whon he had never seen,
from Poland.  It was a joyous occasion.  Father times takes its toll and
after a short illness Bruno passed away peacefully on May 16, 1981 in
the Wilkie Union Hospital.  In January of 1982 Susan suffered a severe
stroke and passed away on December 25, 1982.

Dad and Mother were faithful to God and were the most wonderful
parents.  We miss them terribly, loved them dearly as they loved us, but
we hope we will be reunited in eternity and take comfort in that
thought.