Fern Louise Branstad

Fern Louise Branstad, age 91, of St. James, MN, died on July 17, 2022, at Pleasant View Good Samaritan Center in St. James. The funeral service will be held at First Lutheran Church, St. James, on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 1:30 p.m., with Rev. Andy Hermodson-Olsen presiding. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service. A reception will be held at the church following interment at Mt. Hope Cemetery in St. James. The service will be livestreamed at 1:30 p.m. on the First Lutheran Church Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/flcstjames Fern Louise Juhl was born to Peter and Ethel Juhl on July 24, 1930, in Gettysburg, SD. She graduated from Waldorf Academy and attended Waldorf College in Forest City, IA, for two years. On August 15, 1948, she married Hubert Branstad in Leland, IA. The couple farmed in Leland until 1956 when they moved to New Ulm. Following another move to Lamberton, the family settled in St. James in 1961. Fern was active in the American Legion Auxiliary, the VFW Auxiliary, and worked in the Veteran's Services office for 10 years. She was an active member of First Lutheran Church, attending Bible studies, Circle, and FLCW activities. She enjoyed traveling, bird watching, spending winters on the Gulf Coast in Florida, watching fast pitch softball, and spending time with her family at their cabin in Wisconsin. Fern was an exceptional hostess, and everyone enjoyed her quick wit, good sense of humor, and buttery popcorn. Fern is survived by her children Harley (Gwen) Branstad of LaSalle, Jim (Pat) Branstad of St. James, Gloria (Randy) Voth of New Ulm, Julie (Robbie) Schmidt of St. James; grandchildren John (Shannon) Branstad, Anne Branstad and special friend Dann Roberts, Jeff (Patria Lawton) Branstad, Jamis Voth, Raya (Luke) Shibiliski, Carolin (Angel) Ortiz, Andrew Schmidt, Rachel (Justin) Coons, Danny Thielman and special friend Kayla Morris, Leslie (Danny Brown) Hackett, and Kristenza Nelson; 11 great- grandchildren; brother-in-law, Bob Quayle; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Fern was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Ralph, Larry and Harold Juhl; sisters Anna Mae Beers and Lorraine Quayle; her husband of 70 years, Hubert, in 2018; daughter Janean Thielman; and granddaughter Amber Voth. Visitation 1 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Wednesday, July 20, 2022 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 1:30 pm Wednesday, July 20, 2022 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 The service will be livestreamed at 1:30 p.m. on the First Lutheran Church Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/flcstjames Interment Information Mt. Hope Cemetery, St. James S. CR 27 St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Reception Refreshments will be served at the church immediately following interment.