Paul A. Branham - 1917-2011

BRANHAM, BORTZ, BOLSON, NORDSTROM COTTRELL, MAU

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 3/15/2011 at 13:55:43

SOURCE: Postville, Iowa POSTVILLE HERALD, February 16, 2011
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Paul A. Braham, age 93, formerly of Postville, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 4, 2011 at the home of his daughter, Kristine Nordstrom, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. A private family memorial gathering will be held this summer in Rudd, Iowa where his ashes will be interred *cemetery not listed*.

Paul Arthur Braham was born October 5, 1917 in Cerro Gordo County, Rudd, Iowa, the only child of Henry and Christine Braham. He grew up in Rudd and attended Mason City Junior College. He served in the U.S. Army in an engineering unit from 1942 to 1946 throughout Europe, participating in the Battle of the Bulge, attaining the rank of captain. Before being shipped overseas, Paul married Katherine Bortz in Tucson, Arizona, in 1942. She died in 1968. In 1970 he married Angela Bolson who died in 2003.

He worked in the furniture business for most of his life, owning a store in Cresco, Iowa and working at Schutte Furniture Store in Postville for nearly 30 years. He retired at the age of 80, when he and Angie moved to McAllen, Texas. A long-time member of the Tri-City Golf Club, Paul was an avid golfer. He played several times a week, year round at Adobe Wells Country Club Estates where he lived in McAllen. He also enjoyed fishing, dancing, tending his roses, and cracking pecans. Always on the go, he was extremely active until just recently. He enjoyed the loving companionship in his later years with his dear friend and faithful golf partner Pauline Anderson. Paul's sparkling eyes and dry sense of humor will be missed by family and friends alike.

Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Ray (Kristine) Nordstrom of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ruth (husband James) Braham of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Paul (Janice) Cottrell of Arlington Heights, Illinois; 3 step-children, Mrs. Steve (Margeen) Mau of LaCrescent, Minnesota, Steve (Ann) Bolson of Evergreen, Colorado, and Rob (Nancy) Bolson of Decorah, Iowa; 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.