BRAEND, Wilma (Swinton) 1926-2003

BRAEND, KNUTSON, SWINTON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/1/2009 at 12:36:30

Wilma L. Braend, 76, of Waverly, Iowa, died Friday morning, April 11, 2003, at Allen Memorial Hospital, Waterloo, from complications of a stroke.

Wilma was born on Dec. 25, 1926, in Nashua, the daughter of Fred and Hattie (Knutson) Swinton. She was baptized and confirmed in Nashua, and graduated from the Nashua High School in 1944. She then moved to Charles City, where she worked, and on Feb. 16, 1947, she was united in marriage with Earl Braend at the Methodist Church in Charles City. They made their home in Charles City where they raised their family and Earl worked for Harrison Ford. When the children were all in school, Wilma began working for the Glass Shope in Charles City until 1972 when the couple moved to Jefferson, Iowa, and Earl worked for Harrison Ford there. In 1974, Earl purchased the Ford Dealership in Gowrie, Iowa, naming it Earl Braend Ford.

The couple lived in Gowrie and Wilma worked alongside her husband as the bookkeeper of the dealership. During this time, the couple also owned and operated This-N-That Antiques in Gowrie. In the early 1990's, Earl and Wilma sold the dealership to Kirk Jacobson and his wife, Karen, Kirk being a faithful employee and friend of Earl's. Earl had become ill so they also sold the antique store to spend their short retirement together. Earl died in 1997, and one year later, Wilma sold their home and moved to Waverly to live near her brothers and sisters.

Wilma was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Waverly, and volunteered at the Waverly Municipal Hospital. Wilma loved her family of whom she was so proud, and she especially enjoyed being a great grandmother. Her family states that she was a very proud woman who loved her God, Country and Community.

She is survived by her three daughters and their husbands, JoAnne & Dean Larsen of Elmore, Minn., Dianne & Tom Maloney of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jane & Rick Staudt of Waukee, Iowa,; seven grandsons; six great grandchildren; her 11 brothers and sisters and their spouses, Harold & Bernice Swinton of Waterloo, Doris White of Emmetsburg, Iowa, Bill & Lois Swinton of Long Beach, Calif., Don & Dorothy Swinton of Waverly, Herb & Dolores Swinton of Cedar Falls, Maurice & Alice Swinton of Dixon, Ill., Helen & Harley Ascher of Clarksville, Iowa, Alfreeda & Ronald Albaugh of Springfield, Mo., Vernon & Donna Swinton, Lois Brodt, all of Waverly, Roger & Marlys Swinton of Shell Rock. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Earl; one brother, Dale Swinton; and one sister, Mildred Schultz.

Celebration of Life Services will be 11 a.m. on Monday, April 14, 2003, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Waverly. Burial will be 1:30 p.m. on Monday at the Riverside Cemetery, Charles City. Visitation will be one hour on Monday at the church prior to the services. Memorials may be directed to the ALS Association.

The Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly is in charge of the arrangements.