Donald Adolph BRANER

BRANER, MEINDERS, RUKA, ROSS, STEPHENS, KEPLEY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/23/2009 at 10:21:11

Donald A. Braner, 87, Belmond, died October 11, 2009 at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond. Services were held October 19 at the Immanuel Reformed Church east of Belmond, with burial in the church cemetery. Donald Adolph, the son of Harm and Lillian Meinders Braner, was born March 26, 1922 in Belmond. He attended country schools and graduated from Belmond High School in 1940. On November 8, 1942 he married Eileen Ruka, the daughter of Earl and Buelah Ruka of Goodell. Don farmed with his dad until 1949 when his parents moved into town. Don and Eileen kept farming east of Belmond until they moved into town. Don worked with his son Les after Les returned from serving his country in Vietnam. They farmed together until Les passed away in 2002. Don was a member of Immanuel Reformed where he was baptized and confirmed. He was a member of the church cemetery board since 1962, becoming chairman in 1975. In addition to his service at church, Don and Eileen helped serve Thanksgiving and Christmas meals at the Leinbach Center for over ten years, and Don drove the Care Car for many years. He also enjoyed wood-working, and several of his wood creations can be found at Immanuel Reformed. He was preceded in death by his parents; son Les; brother Walter; and brother-in-law Don Kepley. Don is survived by his wife; son Randall (Vicki) of Cibolo, TX; grandsons Joshua of Texas, Les, Jr. (Jeami) of California, Michael (Jodi) of California, Nathan of Iowa, and Brandon of Iowa; granddaughters Colleen of California, Ericka (Wayne) Ross, Deri of Texas, and Lesly (Chris) Stephens; great grandchildren Ashli, Kelli, Lucas, Eric, Colin, and Rebecca; sister June Kepley; and daughter-in-law Kathleen Braner.

10/20/2009
Belmond Independent - Iowa