Mary Elizabeth Brandon

Mary Elizabeth Brandon

Irving, TX

Mary Elizabeth Brandon, 85, of Irving, TX, died on Mother’s Day May 8, 2022. Mary Beth was born on February 22, 1937, in Jefferson, IA, and raised by Herman and Mary (Shields) Bogner in Galva, IL. She graduated from Galva High School in 1955 and began her nursing career at Galesburg Research Hospital in Galesburg, IL.

Mary Beth married Brady Burdette Brandon Sr. on July 17, 1960, in Galva, lived in IL and TX, and settled on the family farm they built by hand from the ground up near Ollie, IA. They taught their children what they learned from the Great Depression; to know the importance of hard work, responsibility, and living within their means. Mary Beth continued her nearly 40-year career as a Certified Nurse’s Aide at nursing homes in Toulon, IL and Tucson, AZ. Brady passed away Mar 31, 2006.

Music played a large part of Mary Beth’s life. She played the flute and piccolo in school, and the church organ for many years for various churches and services. She enjoyed chatting for hours over never-ending pots of coffee, talking about Grandpa Bogner’s old Candy Shoppe in Galva, listening to Glen Miller and big band on old time radio, and going through antique stores.

Left to mourn but to celebrate Mary Beth and Brady’s lives are their children, Deborah Kay Heisdorffer of Keota, IA, Brady (Marissa) Brandon Jr. of Denison, TX, and Kathy (Brian) Prendergast of Irving, TX; grandsons, Elijah and Legend Brandon; sisters, Nancy (Jerry) Richa of Schaumburg, IL, Carol (Rick) Von Albrecht of Tucson, AZ, and Sue (Howe) Godsil-Ford of TN; many nieces and nephews, and grandfur-babies.

Mary Beth was preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law, Nicholas Dean Heisdorffer; and many close friends who I can imagine are all together again sharing a large pot of coffee and great conversation.

Cremation will be accorded by Aria Cremation Service and Funeral Home of Irving, TX, with private graveside services to be held at a later date at the Richland Friends Cemetery, Richland, IA. Online condolences may be left at ariacremation.com.