Keith Elliot Brannian, age 97, of Brooklyn, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2017, at the Brooklyn Community Estate. Funeral service: 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 20, 2017, at Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn. Burial will be in the Harmony Cemetery, rural Brooklyn.
Keith is survived by his children Terry Ann Brannian (Dean Smith), Rochelle Lynne Brannian, Allen Ross (Mary) Brannian and Sam Brannian (Ramona McGurk); a granddaughter Riley; two step-grandchildren Krystal and Kenny Hoth; four step great-grandchildren Jacob Sanders, Alexander, Christian and Brenden Hoth; a brother Donald Brannian; sister-in-law Esther (Mrs. Ken Brannian); and many relative and friends including Philip Ryan, and Floyd and Jeanne Doty. He was preceded in death by his wife Gloria in 2002, his parents, and a brother Kenneth Brannian.
Keith Brannian was born September 2, 1919, in Lincoln Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa, the son of Elsie Elliott and Ross Brannian. He was graduated from the Brooklyn High School as valedictorian in 1937. Following graduation, he decided to forego his scholarship and began farming along with his father, until 1942. Keith joined the U.S. Army in August 1942-1946. He was united in marriage to Gloria Bealler in Younkers, New York, on September 6, 1947. He then continued farming with his family until buying and moving to “Agony Acres” in March 1950.
Keith’s greatest joys were foremost his family, then farming, followed by reading, music and travel. The writings and works of the following are among the favorites: Thomas Jefferson, George Washington Carver, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, and Gene Kelly.
Source: Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn, IA.
Gloria Bealler Brannian 78, Brooklyn, Iowa, died Tuesday, June 25, 2002 in University of Iowa Hospitals, Iowa City, Iowa.
Gloria Bealler was born December 1, 1923 in New York City, NY, the daughter of Sam Bealler (Bialystok) and Tillie Paritzky Bealler. At the age of 19 she was graduated from prestigious Hunter College, New York City, NY, with an emphasis in chemistry and home economics.
She worked during World War II as an electronic equipment tester and while serving at her local USO as a volunteer hostess, met Keith Elliott Brannian, the son of Ross and Elsie Elliot Brannian, all of Brooklyn, Iowa. They were married September 6, 1947. She taught in the Hartwick Public School System, Hartwick, Iowa. Keith and Gloria farmed their Bear Creek Township land for over 50 years.
Gloria was a member of the River Road Club, Columbian Club, and American Legion Auxiliary. She also served on the Poweshiek County Soil Conservation Board, numerous years on the Brooklyn Public Library Board, and the Poweshiek County Council on Aging, and was leader of 4-H, Campfire Girls and Boy Scouts.
She enjoyed sewing, reading, poetry, puzzles, crafts, shopping and traveled extensively. She especially enjoyed watching her granddaughter Riley's dance performances.
Survivors include: her husband, Keith; daughters Terry Brannian, Iowa City, and Rochelle Brannian, Iowa City; granddaughter, Riley Brannian, Iowa City; sons Allen Brannian and his wife Mary of Malcom, and Sam Brannian, Coralville; brothers-in-law, Don Brannian, Brooklyn, and Kenneth Brannian and wife, Esther, Brooklyn; nieces, Jeanne Brannian Clayton and Kim Brannian Bauman, Brooklyn; and nephews, Kurt Brannian, Brooklyn, Nolan Altman, Oceanside, NY, and Howard Altman, Newton, PA,; very special friend, Dean Smith, Iowa City; two step grandchildren, Krystal Sanders and Kendrick Hoth; and one step great grandson Jacob Sanders.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Martha Bealler Altman and her husband Murray, New York City, NY.
As Gloria had a life-long interest in education, a Hunter College educational memorial in her name has been established at Box 140, Brooklyn, Iowa 52211.
Funeral services were held at 10 AM, Saturday, at the Nevenhoven Funeral Home, Brooklyn. Interment followed in Harmony Cemetery, rural Brooklyn. Honorary casket-bearers were Willis Montgomery, Robert Little, Miles Clayton and Gerald Byerly. Casket-bearers were Paul Stetzel, George Cline, John Clayton, Kurt Brannian, Rich Carmichael and Gary Kriegel.