Maria Wilhelminna (Wustenberg) Branning (1864-1942)

WUSTENBERG, WIISTENBERG, BRANNING, CALLAHAN, NORING, KABRICK

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 1/21/2014 at 21:17:20

From Collins Gazette February 26, 1942

Funeral services for the late Mrs. Maria Branning, were held at the home of her daughter, Mrs. M. M. Noring, on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 18, at 1 o'clock and at the Collins United Brethren church at 1:30. The Rev. Arthur C. Marston, pastor, brought the message.

A mixed quartet, composed of Supt. Glen Holmes of Story City, Louise Eubank of Mingo, Ruth Noring and Milton Hale of Collins, and accompanied by Mrs. C. R. Stone dang "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere," "Saved by Grace" and "Safe In the Arms of Jesus."

The Floral offings were arranged and cared for by Genevieve Geisler and Thelma Hale. Pall bearers were Charles Callahan of Ames, Glen Noring, and Verne Noring of Collins, William Noring and Ray Kabrich of Waterloo and Ray Prescott of Nevada, Interment was at the Bethany cemetery at Kelley.

Many out of town relatives and friends were present at the services.

Maria Wilheminna Branning

Maria Wilheminna Branning was born at Rockford, Winnebago county, Ill. on Juen 2, 1864. Here she spent the happy years of her early childhood. In 1872 her father, Christian Wustenberg and the mother, Amelia, decided to cast their lot with the many settlers who were then leaving northern Illinois for the fertile prairies of Iowa. Those who were close to Mrs. Branning remember hearing he often tell of the adventures that befell that little family--the mother and the father and the brother and two sisters -- as they journeyed westward by covered wagon. Of the long, hot days, the nights around the campfire, and of one event in particular, when an Iowa cyclone swooped down upon their little party, endangering their lives and their property.

Late that year the family settled in Guthrie county, where Christian Wustenberg broke the virgin soil and built his home. In her young womanhood, Maria married Joseph Nelson Branning on Dec. 28, 1882. To this union were born three children: Lena Belle, Harry C. and Gertrude Marie.

The years that followed were years of joy, years of sorrow, years of toil, years of blessing. Mr. Branning's work as a carpenter took the family many places--Jamaica, Perry, Waukee, Dallas Center, Rockford, Ill. and Kelley--all at one time or another were home and held many precious memories in the mind of the mother and children.

Joseph Branning passed away at Kelley, March 18, 1924. The years that followed, Mrs. Branning spent with her children, who dearly loved her and provided for her every need. In 1934, when M. M. Noring family came to Collins to live, Mother Branning came too. In her love and tender care for her children and grandchildren she held an estimable position of respect and affection. Four weeks ago she was taken sick and on the Sunday afternoon of Rev. 15, at the age of 77 years, 8 months and 13 days, she quietly slipped away from this world to meet her loved ones over on the other shore. While still a girl, Maria Wiistenberg was converted at special meeting held in the old Jamaica United Brethren church, and her conversion and certificate of membership may still be found on those old records. But as those who knew her best along life's pathway will testify her life was the record that counted the most in her witnessing for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mrs. Branning leaves to mourn her passing, three children: Lena Belle Callahan of Lincoln, Iowa, Harry C. Branning of Story City, and Gertrude Marie Noring of Collins, nine grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Her sister and brother, one grandchild, and two great-grandchildren, precede her in passing.

Also in an unknown newspaper:

MRS MARIE BRANNING

Mrs. Maria Branning, 1ge 77, died at her home of her daughter, Mrs. Morris Nowning*, three miles northeast of Collins, Sunday afternoon.

Mrs. Branning leaves besides her daughter, Mrs. Nowning* at whose home she died, a daughter, Mrs. Charles Callahan of Lincoln, in Tama county, a son Harry Branning of Story City, nine grandchildren and the sem number of great grandchildren.

SUBMITTER'S NOTE: This should be Noring, not Nowning.