Betty M. Branstetter
July 28, 1930 — February 16, 2015
Betty was born to Albert and Bessie (Robinson) McKinstrey on July 28, 1930 in Milford, Iowa. She went to first grade at the age of five years old because she wanted to go to school. Education always remained very important to her. She graduated from Milford High School and continued her education at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa. She was a cheerleader in both high school and college.
She married Charles Branstetter on August 26, 1951. Two children were born: Susan and Jeff. She taught Physical Education for thirty-eight years, from elementary to high school girls in the Harlan School System. She loved teaching and had a real passion for her students to enjoy her PE Classes, especially taking them outside for class to be in the fresh air. She thoroughly enjoyed seeing former PE students when she was out and about and hearing them say how much they loved her PE classes. She had an excellent memory and could always remember their names and was always interested in where they lived and what they were doing with their lives.
She was an excellent cook and housekeeper. Her specialty was the pies that she baked, especially her apple pies but also included baked beans, sugar cookies, and scotcheroos. Family was of the upmost importance to her. Holidays and family get togethers made her so happy, planning the menus and shopping for the food. Birthdays were extra special with a cake made just for you by Grandma Betty. Always willing to help her family when called upon. She delighted in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and she loved to spoil each one as only she could.
She loved going to church and was active in church activities, especially UMW, loved to read the daily newspaper, follow the Harlan sports teams, attend her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities and making multiple trips to the grocery stores each day to shop and visit.
She was an extremely positive, vibrant woman in all that she did and seldom asked for anything, unless it was what could she do for you.
Betty died on Monday, February 16, 2015 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of eighty-four years, six months, and nineteen days. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charles on September 23, 2014, and her brother Gordon McKinstrey.
She is survived by her daughter Susan and her husband Robert Schmitz of Panama, Iowa; son Jeff Branstetter and his wife Sara of Omaha, Nebraska; four grandchildren: Dan Schmitz and his wife Melissa, Patrick Schmitz, Kate Branstetter, and Joseph Branstetter; five great-grandchildren: Masen and Alivia Schmitz and Sabre, Maddox, and Monetha Schmitz; sister Ruth McKinstrey of Harlan, Iowa; sister-in-law Kathy McKinstrey of Orange City, Iowa; other family members and many friends.
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She married Charles Branstetter on August 26, 1951. Two children were born: Susan and Jeff. She taught Physical Education for thirty-eight years, from elementary to high school girls in the Harlan School System. She loved teaching and had a real passion for her students to enjoy her PE Classes, especially taking them outside for class to be in the fresh air. She thoroughly enjoyed seeing former PE students when she was out and about and hearing them say how much they loved her PE classes. She had an excellent memory and could always remember their names and was always interested in where they lived and what they were doing with their lives.
She was an excellent cook and housekeeper. Her specialty was the pies that she baked, especially her apple pies but also included baked beans, sugar cookies, and scotcheroos. Family was of the upmost importance to her. Holidays and family get togethers made her so happy, planning the menus and shopping for the food. Birthdays were extra special with a cake made just for you by Grandma Betty. Always willing to help her family when called upon. She delighted in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and she loved to spoil each one as only she could.
She loved going to church and was active in church activities, especially UMW, loved to read the daily newspaper, follow the Harlan sports teams, attend her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities and making multiple trips to the grocery stores each day to shop and visit.
She was an extremely positive, vibrant woman in all that she did and seldom asked for anything, unless it was what could she do for you.
Betty died on Monday, February 16, 2015 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of eighty-four years, six months, and nineteen days. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charles on September 23, 2014, and her brother Gordon McKinstrey.
She is survived by her daughter Susan and her husband Robert Schmitz of Panama, Iowa; son Jeff Branstetter and his wife Sara of Omaha, Nebraska; four grandchildren: Dan Schmitz and his wife Melissa, Patrick Schmitz, Kate Branstetter, and Joseph Branstetter; five great-grandchildren: Masen and Alivia Schmitz and Sabre, Maddox, and Monetha Schmitz; sister Ruth McKinstrey of Harlan, Iowa; sister-in-law Kathy McKinstrey of Orange City, Iowa; other family members and many friends.
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