BRASCH, Dorothy Marie (Emerson) 1921-2012

BRASCH, EMERSON, KLINE

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 10/19/2012 at 10:33:34

Dorothy Marie Brasch

Obituary

ST. ANSGAR, IOWA - Dorothy Marie Brasch, a long-time resident of St. Ansgar, died Wednesday, October 17, 2012, at age 91.

Born in 1921 in Mount Vernon, New York, she was the daughter of Robert and Harriet Emerson. The family later moved to Pleasantville and New Rochelle, N.Y., where she graduated from high school in 1940. It was in Pleasantville at the community pool that she was first introduced to her long-time love, swimming.

When the war broke out, she joined the Navy Waves in 1943 to serve her country. With hopes of becoming a control tower operator and moving to California, she was instead sent to Yeoman School in Cedar Falls. It must have been fated because it was there she met her husband of 66 years, Claire Brasch.

After a whirlwind courtship, Claire sent her an engagement ring through the mail and she took a cross-country train to San Diego, where he was stationed in the Marines. They were married in San Diego in 1945 before he was shipped overseas again. With the war's end, they would make their home first in New Hampton and in 1950, St. Ansgar.

One of the first things they did after buying a house in St. Ansgar was to break ground on a swimming pool. Over the next 30 years, Dorothy would teach countless children to swim in that backyard pool. She would also stage elaborate synchronized swimming shows each year. She would later become a Red Cross Instructor Trainer and traveled the state teaching swimming instructors.

She also spent several years volunteering with handicapped children, introducing them to the joys of water. She was active in volunteer activities in St. Ansgar throughout her life, an avid reader, and a gardener, and a lifelong devotee to fitness and athletics. She will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her daughter Sally Emerson-Brasch, son Bob Brasch (Susan); daughter Barbara Ray (Rex); her sister Bette Bonnet; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, as well loving in-laws, nieces, nephews and a host of long-time friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Claire Brasch, her daughter Susan Kline, her son-in-law Jerry Kline, her brother Robert Emerson, and her sister Ruth Backus.

A private service will be held. Cards and donations to a memorium can be sent to Bob Brasch, 309 E. Third St., St. Ansgar, IA, 50472

Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, 641-713-4920, www.schroederandsites.com .

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NOTES: Dorothy was born on June 14, 1921.
(Credit: DM Scott)

See obituary for her husband, Claire.