Gloria Jean (Wertz) BRANER

BRANER, WERTZ, GABRIELSON, PACE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/3/2009 at 12:11:10

December 1, 2009
Belmond Independent, Iowa

Gloria J. Braner, 53, formerly of Belmond, died of cancer November 26, 2009 at her home in Klemme, surrounded by her family. Services were held November 30 at the Belmond United Methodist Church. Burial was in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City.

Gloria Jean, the daughter of Harley L. and Phyllis I. (Gabrielson) Wertz, was born September 10, 1956 at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. She was baptized at the Norway Methodist Church. During her school years Gloria was active in 4-H and was a wrestling cheerleader. She graduated from Chariton High School in 1974. Gloria attended Des Moines Area Community College and studied key punch. Gloria married Leslie A. Braner on August 20, 1982 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, and they had two sons. Gloria thoroughly appreciated raising her family and was their number one cheerleader. She relished the role of being the Ultimate Soccer Mom, supporting them in all they did. Even during her illness in recent months, she looked forward to supporting her family and had attended Brandon's weightlifting competition in September. Gloria loved horses and enjoyed bonding and caring for each of them. She was a long time member of various saddle clubs: first with the Garner Saddle Club, then with Three Rivers Pony Express in Worth, Cerro Gordo, and Mitchell Counties. Gloria held various positions with the Pony Express, including treasurer, and more recently as the county coordinator. Gloria, Les and the boys visited Disney World, Universal Studios, and other points of interest in Florida and the U.S. She cherished camping with family and friends, snowmobile rides with family and the Iowa River Riders Snowmobile Club, and canoeing. She was an excellent cook, making some of the hottest chili and most delicious potato salad. She loved to spend time with her dogs, and more recently, working in her yard. She had a fondness for the St. Jude Children's Hospital. Gloria's life was driven forward to successful accomplishments by her "give it 100%" attitude. For more than ten years she was the sole operator and owner of Iowa Discover It quarterly magazine. Gloria was a partner with Les in the farming operations prior to his death in 2002. She was very knowledgeable and skilled at tasks on the farm. Most recently she had been a sales account manager for Three Eagles Communications for a number of years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, and her father-in-law Donald Braner. Gloria is survived by her sons Brandon and Nathan Braner of Burnsville, MN; step-children Les (Jamie) Braner, Jr. and Michael (Jodi) Braner of Sacramento, CA; step daughter Colleen Braner of Massachusetts; her parents of Menlo; brother Michael (Carol) Wertz of Osage; and sister Christine Pace of Stuart.