Thursday, January 12, 2012

Jeanne Beaver

Funeral services for Jeanne Louise Beaver, 83, were held on Friday, January 6 at Hope Chapel in rural Verndale with Pastor Neal Malcore officating. Jeanne passed away on January 1, 2012 at Harmony House in Motley.
Jeanne was born on August 16, 1928 in Pipestone, to David and Margaret (Borreson) Long. Jeanne lived on a farm in rural Verndale until a couple of years ago when her health necessitated a move into a care facility.
Jeanne graduated from Verndale High School in 1944, at the age of 15. She was the valedictorian of her class. She then attended the McPhail School of Music in Minneapolis, with an emphasis as a lyrical soprano. For many years, Jeanne was a piano instructor in Verndale and Sebeka. Jeanne also did income tax preparation for many years.
On November 22, 1971, Jeanne married Leonard “Bud” Beaver in Verndale. Bud passed away in 2000.
Jeanne enjoyed taking care of her flowers, painting, music and traveling. She was active with the Wadena Concert Association, Christian Women and the Hope Chapel Women’s Group.
Preceding Jeanne in death were her husband; her parents; and her brother Merlyn.
Jeanne is survived by her brother-in-law, Don (Bernice) Beaver of Verndale; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Pallbearers were Jerry Nanik, Allan Anderson, Kem Kern, Joe Schmitz, Gary Beaver and Clarence Horsager.
Interment was in the Greenlawn Cemetery in Verndale.

Benjamin Branstner

Private family services for Benjamin John Branstner, 70, of Verndale will be held at a later date. Benjamin passed away on December 30, 2011 at the Peaceful Valley Home in Hewitt.
John was born on November 4, 1941 to August and Julia (Chase) Branstner in Bertha and grew up in Oak Valley Township, west of Hewitt. He was the fourteenth of fifteen children. He graduated from Bertha High School and moved to California where he worked as an electrician until 1984.
After retirement, he returned to Minnesota, moving to his home in Verndale. In 2011, for health reasons, he moved to the Peaceful Valley Home in Hewitt where he was cared for by his nephew Ricky Mitchell and family. During his stay, he enjoyed spending time with his sister Ivis Mitchell who also is cared for at their home.
John was a lifelong member of the IBEW and active with AA for the last 20 years. He loved to garden and was known to help anyone needing assistance, especially the elderly who lived in his apartment complex. He was known as a good neighbor, always ready to help and expected nothing, but appreciation in return. He will be missed by all who knew him.
John was preceded in death by his parents August and Julia; sisters Bernice and Judith Branstner, Marie Folkestad, Viola Hauser and Pearl Ford; brother Loyd; and brothers-in-law Hermie Trosen, Gary Mitchell, Howard Folkestad, Eugene Hauser and Ben Krug.
He is survived by his sisters Verlie (Alvin) Miller of Minneapolis, Nadine Krug of Woodland, California, Alice Trosen of Verndale, Lila (Hugh) McFarlane of Minneapolis, Ivis Mitchell of Hewitt, Orpha (Larry) Carlson of Arizona and Ruby Hughes of Hutchinson; brother Bill (Glenda) of Muldrow, Oklahoma; sister-in-law Elvira Branstner of Georgetown, California; brother-in law Frank Ford of Aitkin; and many nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Interment will be in the Oak Valley Cemetery at a later date.