Gertrude Violet Dundas Branson, 91

Gertrude Violet Dundas Branson passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2008 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho surrounded by her family.

Gertrude was born in Naponee, Neb., on July 29, 1916, the daughter of Lucias and Clara (Brock) Dundas. The youngest of five children she was 2 years old when the family traveled by train and moved from Nebraska to California. She grew up in the Silver Lake area of Southern California and attended schools in Los Angeles and Truckee, Calif.

After high school, she married Joseph Kirschke. They had a daughter Carolyn. Following the end of her marriage, Gertrude went to work at Vitaminerials in the Los Angeles area to support herself and her daughter.

She married Stephen Branson on Feb. 14, 1946. They had a daughter Arlynn. In 1989, Gertrude and Stephen moved from Eagle Rock, Calif., to Paradise, Calif. Living close to family and friends, they enjoyed their retirement years.

Gertrude was concerned with the welfare and care of homeless and abused dogs. She was involved with Pet Harbor, the Humane Society and local animal shelters providing funds to spay, neuter and vaccinate dogs making them more adoptable. She loved all dogs but two of her favorite “fur” companions were “Peachy Pie” and “Sweetie Pie” whom she adopted from the Paradise Animal Shelter.

In 2002, she moved to Sandpoint, to be closer to her family. She later moved to Coeur d'Alene and enjoyed playing bingo, bus trips to the Coeur d'Alene Casino and making new friends.

She is survived by her two daughters, Carolyn Cullings and husband, John (Nick,) of Rathdrum, Idaho, and Arlynn Haile and husband, John, of Sagle, Idaho; six grandchildren, Noreen Hartman and husband, David, of Texas, Tammy Broniste and husband, Larry, of California, John Benson and wife, Kim, of California, Keith Benson and wife, Kathy, of Utah and Johnny Haile of Idaho; 14 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Gertrude was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen; her sisters, Kathleen Dundas and Arlene (Dundas) Taylor; and her brothers, Demare and Loren Dundas.

Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel is handling local arrangements. A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. June 6, 2008, at the Paradise Cemetery, Paradise, Calif. Memorials should be sent to any animal shelter. Please visit Gertrude's online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.