Shirley Brainard

Shirley Ann Brainard, 87, of Postville died Monday, January 23, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society, Postville. Funeral Services were held Friday, January 27 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville with Rev. Lynn Noel as the Officiant. Burial will be at a later date.

Shirley Ann was born April 28, 1929 to Nanfred Johannes and Sylvia Jeanette (Forde) Sand. She attended Ossian Schools and graduated in 1947. After graduation Shirley took summer classes at Luther College. She was a substitute teacher at a country school the fall of 1947 and worked at Northern Engraving in Waukon from 1971 until her retirement in 1994.

Shirley was united in marriage with John O. Brainard February 27, 1949 at Ossian Lutheran Church, Ossian. She was a member of Post-Franklin Study Club and St. Paul Lutheran Church Choir Church and played music for Ladies Aid. Shirley enjoyed reading, playing piano, listening and singing to music, sewing and baking wonderful bread. The school bus came so close to their home that the kids could run with their homemade toast and peanut butter to catch the bus, the neighbor kids were jealous of their good breakfast. She loved to drive fast.

Shirley is survived by her children: Sylvia Brainard of Mason City, Georgianne (Ronald) Kaiser of Garnavillo, Roger (Julie) Brainard of Postville, Bruce Brainard of Postville and Catherine (Larry) Dostal of Coralville; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jim Cannella, Jenni Cannella, Reid and Ann Kaiser, Caleb, Kallie, Rachel and Jacob Kaiser, Kori and Clif Spengler, Ethan Robey, Mya and Brennan Spengler, Alicia and Chris Humlicek, Kade, Collin and Alex, Kellie and Matt Robbins, Macie, Khloe and Stella, Sarah and Zach Marsh, August, Courtney Brainard, Justin and Pamela Clark, Caleb and Cassandra, Cory and Megan Clark, Gowen and Aurelia, Kirstin Brainard and Sean Dostal; and her siblings: Helen Schaeffer of Decorah, Richard Sand of Norwalk, CA, Marjorie (Tom) Golden of Henderson, NV, Janet Pinch of Henderson, NV, Elaine (Bob) Evans of Indianola and Jacob Sand of Boulder City, NV; her sisters-in-law, Verna Sand, Carole Sand, Bernice Friederich, Shirley Brainard and Darlene Brainard; her former daughter-in-law, Deb Brainard; several cousins and many nieces and nephews.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Nanfred and Sylvia Sand; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Eva Brainard; her brothers, Robert Sand, Gregory Sand and Nanfred (Bud) Sand; her ex-husband, John Brainard; her son, Bradley Brainard; her son-in-law, James Cannella; her in-laws, Dale and Erna Brainard, Lee and Donna Brainard, Keith and Jenetta Brainard, Kenneth and Barbara Schori, Ray Brainard, Gene and Charlene Brainard, Leland and Janice Walby-Glaim, Edgar Brainard, Leslie Poesch, Lester Friederich and Helmer Glaim; and her nieces, Jana Rupnick and Rhonda Radloff.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Postville Good Samaritan Society, Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice and St. Paul Lutheran Church of Postville.

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Postville is helping the family with the arrangements.