Raymond M. Branstad

Branstad, Raymond M. age 92, of Vero Beach, FL, passed away April 1, 2009. Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 43 years, Lois (Bayer) Branstad; parents, Elmer and Anna (Peterson) Branstad; sister, Bernice Peterson Long; and brother, Floyd Branstad. Survived by son, John (Wendy) Branstad; daughters, Nancy (Matt) Luttman, Margaret (Kris) Ostman, Judy (Keven) Kassulker and Kirsten (Tom) Burcham; 12 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; sister, Avis Amundson; nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. Served his lord as a Pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Ordained in 1943, he served parishes in Duluth, MN, Suttons Bay and Holton, MI, Eau Claire, WI, Mpls. and Golden Valley, MN and Mayville, ND among others, until he retired in 1995. Served as Chairman of the Board of Regents of Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN and was the college's President of 1970-1978. Funeral service was held at Grace Lutheran Church, Vero Beach, FL. Visitation for his MN family and friends will be Friday, April 10 from 3-6 PM, Gill Brothers Southwest Chapel, 5801 Lyndale Ave S. Interment Center Lutheran Church Cemetery, Lake Mills, IA. Memorials may be directed to Bethany Lutheran College, 700 Luther Dr., Mankato, MN 56001. GILL BROTHERS Minneapolis Chapel 612-861-6088
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.