Mildred Mae Branson, 94, Owensville, passed away Friday, April 5, 2019.
She was born May 18, 1924, to Walter Raymond and Clara (Kriete) Rice, at Rosebud.
She was united in marriage to Arthur Raymond Branson, April 21, 1946, at Leslie.
Mildred attended Red Oak Methodist Church as a child where she was confirmed and also where she taught Sunday school. After graduating from Owensville High School in 1943 she was employed in St. Louis at Wenzel Tent and Duck Company as a riveter for army supplies during WWII. After coming back to Owensville, she worked at Brown Shoe Company for 43 years and had served as vice president of United Shoe Workers Local 245. In October of 1952, she was baptized and joined the First Baptist Church in Owensville where she taught the young people as she enjoyed working with the youth. She was a board member for Missouri Ozark M.O.C.A.; joined VFW Auxiliary 6133 in 1950; and Eastern Star #414 in 1976. She also made and sold quilts and quilted at First Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by parents, Walter and Clara; husband Arthur; brothers, Martin and Norvin “Butch” Rice.
She is survived by daughters, Carol Kamper and husband David of Owensville and Tonyia Hollandsworth and husband Rickey of Winfield; sister, Naomi Kane and husband Bill of Union; sister-in-law, Shirley Rice of Rosebud; grandchildren, Jamie Holzschuh and husband James of Rosebud, Stephanie Baker and husband Kyle of Owensville, Rachel Stone of Rosebud, Craig Hollandsworth and wife Jennifer of Winfield and Sarah Hollandsworth of Owensville; and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 9, with Rev. Kevin Sullivan officiating. Burial was in Countryside Memorial Gardens.
Memorial requested to “Friends of Kids with Cancer,” 16 Sunnen Dr. Suite 161, St. Louis, MO 63143.
Arrangements entrusted to Gottenstroeter Funeral Home, Owensville.
