Esther Brannian

Esther Brannian, age 83, died Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at Brooklyn Community Estate. Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. Monday, July 3, 2017, Grace United Methodist Church, Brooklyn with Pastor Joyce Proctor officiating. Burial will be in the Brooklyn Memorial Cemetery, Brooklyn, Iowa. Visitation: 5 to 7 P.M. Sunday, July 2, 2017 at Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn. Memorials may be contributed to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Esther is survived by two daughters, Jeanne Clayton (Rusty) of Brooklyn, and Kim Bauman of Brooklyn; a son Kurt Brannian of West Des Moines; six grandchildren, Lauren Dillon (Eric) of Alexandria, VA, Reed Clayton of Seattle, WA, Wyatt Bauman of Brooklyn, and Allison Bauman of Salt Lake City, UT, Brock Brannian and Holly Brannian of Des Moines. Also surviving are a brother Charles Ranfeld (Ruth) of Victor, a sister Mabel McWilliams (Delmar) of Victor and a brother-in-law Donald Brannian of Brooklyn and former daughter-in-law Kim Miller Brannian of Des Moines, along with nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Kenneth on January 17, 2013; a son David in infancy; and a son-in-law, Lyle Bauman, Jr.

Esther Louise Ranfeld was born July 5, 1933 in rural Victor, Iowa, to Archie Charles and Addie Louise Huck Ranfeld. She attended the Guernsey schools, and was proud to have played on the girls’ basketball team. Esther married Kenneth Ross Brannian on August 16, 1950 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. The couple lived a few years in Kentucky while Kenn was in the service. They returned to Iowa, farmed near Victor, and eventually purchased a farm near Guernsey. In 1970, they moved to an acreage north of Brooklyn. Esther was a vital member of the farm team, and kept the books for the family businesses, including Brooklyn 80 Implement, Brooklyn 80 Standard and the Brooklyn 80 Restaurant.

She was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church for 50 years, serving as a Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, and helping with Kid’s Club. She also served as the church financial secretary and held many offices with the United Methodist Women.

Esther enjoyed being a loving wife, parent and grandparent, and all that it entailed. She always supported the academic, fine arts, and sport endeavors of each. She enjoyed her garden and yardwork, sewing and reading. She will be missed and treasured by her family and friends. She will be remembered for her quiet, calm and encouraging demeanor. She was a Lady.