Shirley Ann Brainard

Tuesday, January 31, 2017 2:10 pm

Shirley Ann Brainard, 87, of Postville, died Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Society, Postville. Visitation was Thursday, Jan. 26, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Postville, and one hour before services at the church Friday. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 27, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville, with Rev. Lynn Noel as the officiant. Burial will be at a later date. 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 helped the family with the arrangements.

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 Feb. 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 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; 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; siblings: Helen Schaeffer of Decorah, Richard Sand of Norwalk, Calif., Marjorie (Tom) Golden of Henderson, Nev., Janet Pinch of Henderson, Nev., Elaine (Bob) Evans of Indianola and Jacob Sand of Boulder City, Nev.; sisters-in-law: Verna Sand, Carole Sand, Bernice Friederich, Shirley Brainard and Darlene Brainard; 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; father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Eva Brainard; brothers: Robert Sand, Gregory Sand and Nanfred (Bud) Sand; ex-husband, John Brainard; son, Bradley Brainard; son-in-law, James Cannella; 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, Helmer Glaim; and nieces, Jana Rupnick and Rhonda Radloff.