Margaret H. Branham

Margaret H. Branham, age 88, of Astoria, died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, in Portland. She was born March 29, 1923, in Wheatland, N.D., to Adolph and Lydia Brix. Upon completing high school, she moved to California to live with her eldest sister so she could work and continue her education. During World War II, she worked as a riveter, an electrical assistant and other jobs to support the war effort. On Jan. 12, 1944, she married Paul Branham in Oakland, Calif. He survives, residing in Astoria. After marrying, Mrs. Branham moved to Oregon and worked at the county health department in Oregon City. At the end of World War II, the couple moved to The Dalles. In 1947, they moved to Astoria. She worked in the office of Sebastian Stuart Seafood and later at the Astoria Plywood Mill. Upon the couples' retirement, they split their time between Apache Junction, Ariz., and Astoria. She was a longtime member of the First Lutheran Church. She was also active in Eastern Star, Zontas and the Road Haven Art Guild in Apache Junction. Family members said she was an accomplished painter, avid reader and loved to travel. In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Nancy Gedeon of West Richland, Wash.; two sisters, Dorothy Bond of Pennsylvania and Lucile Albert of North Dakota; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by five brothers, Fred, Henry, Herman, Harry and Walter Brix; three sisters, Bertha Kellogg and Anne and Mary Brix; and a grandson, Andrew Gedeon. A memorial will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, at First Lutheran Church, 725 33rd St. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital For Children, 3101 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, the National Kidney Foundation Inc., 465 N.E. 181st St., Suite 257, Portland, OR 97230-6660, or a charity of one's choice. Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com