Roberta Brannon
July 14, 1918 ~ June 7, 2017
Roberta F. Brannon age 98 of Waucoma, IA died Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at New Hampton Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 15, 2017, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Waucoma with Rev. Kyle Digmann presiding. The pall will be placed by Roberta's great-grandchildren, Cody Udelhofen, Alli Udelhofen, Josie Nyblom, and Brenna Bodensteiner. Lectors for the service are Roberta's grandchildren Greg Bodensteiner, Joe Kerner, Denise Udelhofen, and Carla Christiansen. Presenting the offertory gifts will be Jenna Nyblom, Ryan Christiansen, Michael Brannon, Brittney Bodensteiner, and Brady Bodensteiner.
Interment will be held in St. Rose Cemetery, rural Waucoma with Richard Adams, Bob Brannon, Bill Pardee, Hugh Brannon, Bruce Adams, and John Brannon serving as pallbearers.
Friends may greet the family 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, 2017, at the Waucoma Events Center (308 Riverview Drive West. Waucoma, IA, 52171) where there will be a 3:30 p.m. Rosary and a 7:00 p.m. Parish Scripture Service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Thursday.
Roberta Florence Brannon was born July 14, 1918, in Waucoma, IA, the only daughter of William and Maude (Baskerville) Adams. She was baptized and confirmed at the Waucoma Methodist Church AKA the Federated Church. Roberta attended the Waucoma Public School and graduated in 1935 as valedictorian of her class. Then attending Upper Iowa University and graduated from Iowa State University with a BS degree in Household Equipment. In 1944, she received a General Business Degree from Hamilton Business College in Mason City, IA. Roberta received her MA in Home Economics Education from the University of Northern Iowa in 1973. Roberta was employed by schools in Napier, Alpha, Waucoma and the Turkey Valley Community School.
On June 12, 1943, Roberta was united in marriage to Leonard Brannon at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waucoma. Roberta was a 60 plus year member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Daughters of America, 60 plus year member of the Hannah Lee Chapter DAR and a 75 year member of Sigma Kappa Phi Social Sorority. She was a long time 4-H leader in Eden Township for the Eden Starlets. Roberta was also a volunteer at the Waucoma Public Library.
Roberta enjoyed growing a large garden, food preservation and she enjoyed preparing large meals for family, hired men and visitors. She was an accomplished seamstress. One of her hobbies was to compile family and community histories. Roberta enjoyed sending and receiving Christmas cards, and made sure each card she sent was personalized.
Roberta is survived by two daughters, Beatrice (Duane) Bodensteiner of Fredericksburg, IA, Janice Kerner of Knoxville, IA; two sons, Charles Brannon of Rochester, MN, Edward Brannon of Waucoma, IA; eight grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Norma Adams of Waucoma, IA.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Maude Baskerville Adams and William Adams; her husband of 62 years Leonard in 2007; son, Joseph in 2005; two brothers, Ralph Adams in 2011, and Jack Adams in 2015.
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For so many years, Mrs. Brannon was the elementary librarian at TV. She was always wonderful, always helpful and she was such a caring woman! She is at peace now. My deepest condolences to the family. RIP, Mrs. Brannon.
Janice & family, Our deepest sympathies to you during this difficult time. Although we never had the pleasure of actually meeting Roberta. It sounds like she was such an amazing lady! We enjoyed hearing the many stories of her life well lived. We will keep each of you in our thoughts and prayers!
Brannon family – so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I remember her fondly as a loving and caring person who was always ready with a helping hand. May she rest in peace. Prayers for all.
So sorry for your loss Ed and family. I fondly remember your Mom working in the library at Turkey Valley. She was very sweet and helpful. Nancy Nienhaus Kovarik
Margaret Harmon lit a candle in memory of Roberta Florence Brannon
Dear Cousin, my deepest sympathy on the lost of Aunt Roberta. She ad a wonderful spirit and a great heart. She was always welcoming and caring. We were so grateful to her and Uncle Leonard’s in the care of Mom when she lived in the senior center. I am very sorry that I can’t attend her services, but she and the whole family will be in my prayers. much love Margaret Padre-Harmon.
We just want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. She led a full life and created a wonderful family. Wishing all of you strength during this difficult time. Jim and Cheryl Hotz
I remember a road trip with Charlie and Hugh and Roberta, to visit Agness Pardee when she was in a home near to where Jean was living. I remember Charlie and Hugh spent plenty of time on their cell phones! !! Had a great day, glad I was able to go.
Leonard was my Grandma Georgia and Grandpa Vince Brannon brother. Georgia was my dads mom.They always came up to Jesup to visit them. They always attended funerals and weddings of our family. Such caring people. Leonard in so many ways was so much like Vince. Roberta was so sweet. So many memories. Prayers to all of you from the Estill family. Debbie Estill Decker, Independence Iowa.
For the times we came from Marion, we would stop at Leonard and Roberta’s. They would always welcome us to visit. Also it seemed when we would stop by it was usually around meal times. Roberta would offer us something to eat because there was plenty of food. Then after visiting , it was on to Cresco. Love to All, Bette Offerman, Connie, Amanda, Claire Vasey
I remember when I stopped to visit Roberta and Leonard’s. Roberta made the Best Strawberry pie!! It was awesome! then my mom(Bette) made the strawberry pie, well let’s just say that it wasn’t like Roberta’s. I will miss Roberta, she knew a lot of the family history. I loved listening to her visit with my mom. Connie (Kobriger) Vasey
Chocolate chip cookies, biggest strawberry patch ever, growing gladiolis flowers, 2 freezers full of meat, that huge kitchen table, like 100 newspaper subscriptions, sewing machine in the kitchen, homemade chocolate syrup, popping popcorn on the stove after Saturday evening mass, picking up eggs in the chicken coop, pasteurizing her own milk, keeping table scraps to feed the pigs, always having Ivory soap in the bathroom. This list of memories could go on and on. I loved my Grandma and all the happiness she brought to everyone that knew her.
Beautiful Heart Bouquet was purchased for the family of Roberta Florence Brannon.
Rose/Bob Otters lit a candle in memory of Roberta Florence Brannon
Emerald Garden Basket was purchased for the family of Roberta Florence Brannon.
Charlie, Ed, Bea & Janice: So sorry for the loss of your mom. Roberta was so special and will be missed by all of us. She may have been small in stature, but big in heart and personality. I’m sending you all of my brothers and sisters to help you with a send off and final farewell.
She always had a smile on her face…….such a talented and awesome lady. ROSE MARY (Hackman) KNOX
I remember all the Brannon family gatherings at Leonard and Roberta ‘ s farm for a number of years. She was such a caring hostess to all (and there always a huge number each time). She had a vast amount of stamina and knowledge of any subject, great stories and showed extreme interest in everybody. What a wonderful person to say ‘She’s my Aunt’ any time I had the chance! How many times I so wished I could be just like her! I wish her family my deepest sympathy and keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers and wish I could be with you in person. Sincerely, Doris Hageman
I loved her and have always remembered her. Mrs. Brannon guided me through 7th and 8th grade .. she made me feel worthy. I will miss her.
I am saddened that Mrs. Brannon has passed. I went to school in Turkey Valley, graduated in 1981. When I was little (still am little, just like her) I absolutely loved going to the packed, yet so inviting, elementary library. She knew that I loved reading, especially horse books. Every time a new horse story came in she’d set it aside for me. Maybe she did that for a lot of children, but it made me feel special. I loved reading then and still do now. I remember the black shoes she wore too. It was a joy to search through books with Mrs. Brannons guidance. . She was such a sweet, warm woman. I’m sure she encouraged a great many students to read and that’s an immeasurable achievement. Sincerely, Barb (Galligan) Havens Eldora, IA