Bradley Craig Brayton

BRAYTON, BUSSARD, CRAWFORD, JENSEN, KLENDWORTH, LONG, OGDEN, ORLOWSKI, RAMTHUN, SWEENEY

Posted By: Cindy (email)
Date: 9/25/2025 at 15:25:47

Bradley Craig Brayton, 71 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at home, following many years of battling progressive supranuclear palsy.

Bradley was born April 28, 1954, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Ethan Ray and Marvel Jean (Ramthun) Brayton. He attended school in Independence, Iowa, and graduated from Jefferson High School with the class of 1972. He worked at Corn Blossom Foods in Independence and continued to work there when it became Iowa Ham Canning and Tyson Food Processing, retiring after 46 years with the company. He was married to Ronda Orlowski and together they had Jen. He later married Tiny Long and they had Adam. He later had Bradley. In 2007 he married the former Sue Ogden in Independence, where they made their home.

Bradley was an avid woodworker. He enjoyed being outdoors and loved taking care of his acreage. He was a past president of the Trailblazers Snowmobile and 4-Wheeling Club, and a proud fan of NASCAR – especially Dale Earnhardt.

Bradley is survived by his wife, Sue of Dunkerton, Iowa; three children, Jen (Dan) Sweeney of Independence, Adam (Traci) Brayton of Rowley, Iowa, and Bradley Crawford of Illinois; one stepson, Ted (Steph) Ogden of Dunkerton; his mother, Marvel Brayton of Ft. Worth, Texas; seven grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; two sisters, Rita (Phil) Klendworth of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Carmen Bussard of Des Moines, Iowa; and brother-in-law, Rick Jensen.

Bradley was preceded in death by his father, Ethan Brayton; two sisters, Karen Jensen and Janelle Brayton; and brother-in-law, Dave Bussard.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Memorial Service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the White Funeral Home in Independence, Iowa, followed by a light luncheon at the VFW in Independence.

Memorial Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Monday, September 22, 2025, at the White Funeral Home in Independence, and will continue Tuesday, at the funeral home until service time.

Condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com
White Funeral Home, Independence, IA, is assisting the family with arrangements.