Irene Brainard

Irene Faye Brainard, the daughter of Loren and Margaret Myers, was born on Oct. 20, 1946, in Superior, Nebraska. She died Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, at her home at the age of 74 years, 2 months, 26 days.

Irene was the oldest of nine siblings. While growing up, she attended Star country school in Jewell County, Republic public school and graduated from Superior High School in 1964. She attended Hastings Beauty Academy, and CNA-Med Aide at Kaw Valley Tech College. She was a member of Centennial Lutheran Church since 1969 in Superior.

She married Robert Rust in November of 1966 in Colorado Springs, Colo. This union was blessed with two daughters, Tresea and Susan. They lived in West Germany and many states until Bob’s retirement from the Army after 21 years, then moved back to Superior. They later divorced. She later married David Brainard on June 15, 1989, living in Topeka until April of 1997 when they moved to Mankato. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary Post 3355, Charter member NCOA International Auxiliary, St. Misch American Legion Auxiliary, Eagles Auxiliary, Webber Homemakers, Jewell County Response and active in the Relay for Life. Irene enjoyed making many prayer shawl’s and afghans,especially baby afghans and was a KSU fan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Loren and Margaret; two brothers, Everett and John; and two sisters, Jan and Janice.

Survivors include her husband, David; daughters, Tresea A (Sid) Drapal of Guthrie, Okla., and Susan (Glenn) Rust Dennison of Oklahoma City, Okla.; and a step-son, David (Lisa) Brainard of Topeka; three grandchildren, Kristin (Joe) Selby of Edmond, Okla., Alysa Drapal of Guthrie, Okla., and Ryan Rust of Edmond, Okla.; three step-grandchildren, Nicki (Patrick) Elliott, Kristen (Brian) Ward and Landon Ashton, all of Topeka; 13 great grandchildren; Dylan Selby of Edmond, Okla., Kalan Wilber of Moore, Okla.,Uriah Orazco of Guthrie, Okla., Jacob, Jude, Raydon and Justin Gibby, all of Edmond, Okla., McKenzie and Abigal Thursby, Paisley and Ava Elliott, of Topeka, Aubrey and Charlie Ward of Topeka; nieces, nephews, other relative and a host of friends.

Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 18, with family present from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Megrue Price Funeral Home.

Her funeral was at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan., 19, at Centennial Lutheran Church, Superior. Clergy was the Rev. Robert Hopkins. Burial was in Rosemound Cemetery, south of Hardy. Memorials may be sent to Rosemound Cemetery or Centennial Lutheran Church.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N. Commercial, Superior, Neb. 68978, was in charge of arrangements.