Obituary of Miles Branson

Miles Branson, age 86, died April 3,2009 at Regency Care Center in Monroe,WA. He was born in Hyannis, Nebraska on August 4,1922 to Miles Branson and Florence (Wolfe)Branson. After his parents separated, Miles chose to stay near his father, who worked for various ranches in the Sandhill area. Mrs. Burns of Bingham,Nebraska cared for him until he moved to town for high school, at which point his life-long commitment to sports in general and basketball in particular was forged. A patiotic young man, he joined the Navy after tha attack on Pearl Harbor, serving approximately 3 1/2 years. Upon his return to the Sandhills, he met and married Joan Rosenberger, the new schoolteacher. Their life together took them from Bingham to Ashby, Hyannis, Whitman and Mullen. Along the way, they had four children, three of whom survive him; Bradley(Margaret), Lyndon, and Suzanne (Ray). Miles wore many hats during his time on earth: athlete,cowhand,sailor,owner of various local businesses,painter. However, his most notable accomplishment was caring friend and neighbor. He and his wife Joan took care of anybody in need, from the stranger on the street to anybody older and in need of help with their chores about the town. He didn't make a big deal about it, but rather just took care of what needed to be done. As the community had once adopted him as a youngster, so he returned the favor, caring for the old and infirm. This commitment to his community was his life. Miles always took his loyalty to his country seriously, from his honorable service in the Navy to years of dedicated American Legion duties. In 2001, he and Joan single-handedly took on the huge project of creating a monument to commemorate all local veterans. This monument in Bingham,Nebraska was one of his most satisfying acchievements. Miles is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan, and his children Bradley (Margaret), Lyndon, and Suzanne (Ray). He was blessed with a total of 4 children, 6 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.