Grace Martin Branstad, age 99, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, eight days shy of her 100th birthday, at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills, Iowa.
Private family services for Grace will be held in Rose Hill Cemetery in Thompson, Iowa with Pastor Rod Hopp of Bethany Lutheran Church officiating.
Military Honors will be performed by the Leland V.F.W. Post #6161.
Grace’s family requests memorials may be given to the charity of your choice.
Grace was born in Rogers, Arkansas on April 16th, 1925, the daughter of George and Vera (Rockwell) Martin. She attended numerous schools during her childhood growing up, and she graduated from Northwood High School.
Grace met Clifford O. Branstad of Thompson, Iowa in the 8th grade. After establishing their careers and serving in World War II, they reunited and married in 1947. Together, they had five children born to this union-Jean, Janet, Philip, Michael, and James.
Grace graduated from the Cook County School of Nursing and was a veteran of the Army Nursing Corps. She and Clifford returned to Thompson, Iowa, to continue the family farm and to raise a family. Alongside Clifford, Grace dedicated 18 years to serving in the Iowa Legislature. She was a loving matriarch who instilled the joy of quilting, knitting, playing cards, and travelling in her entire family.
Grace is survived by her children, Jean (Gary) Wunder of Thompson, Philip (Petra) of Mountain Home, Idaho, Michael (Hannele) of Forest City, and James (Kimberly) of Keota; sister-in-law, Margo Martin of Southwest Harbor, Maine; and brother-in-law, Glenn Branstad of Lake Mills, Iowa. Grace also leaves behind 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Cliff; daughter, Janet; brothers, Earl, Karl, Jim, and Dick; and sister, Jane.
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