Branstetter, Helen Marie

Helen Marie Branstetter, 90, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Wednesday, April 28, 2010, at her home with her family by her side. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday, May 3, at Immanuel Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids. Pastor Dan Wiersema will officiate. Interment will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Survivors include her husband, George Branstetter; three sons, Daniel (Barbara) Branstetter of North Bend, Wash., Robert (Carol) Branstetter of The Woodlands, Texas and Bradley (Belinda) Branstetter of Coppell, Texas; three grandsons; three granddaughters; and one older brother, Glen Luthi of Gage, Okla.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Marie Luthi.

Helen was born Sept. 2, 1919, on her grandma's wheat farm 10 miles south of Gage, Okla., the daughter of Charles and Marie (Schickedanz) Luthi. She married Edgar George Branstetter on Aug. 2, 1941, in Woodward, Okla. Helen graduated from Oklahoma A&M College in June 1941, with a Bachelor of Science degree in commercial education. In 1950, Helen and her family moved to Cedar Rapids from Oklahoma where she became a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. She was a homemaker who enjoyed traveling, spending time with her family and friends, and teaching 2-year-old children at Immanuel Baptist Church for many years.

Helen was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend who will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ministry Expansion Fund of Immanuel Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids.

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