Madeline Brannen

Madeline Margaret Ehleringer was born December 22, 1910 in a farmhouse in the small farming community of Egan, Moody County, South Dakota. She was the first born child of Nicholas Ehleringer and Mary Ann Doyle. She married Carroll Lorraine Brannen February 11, 1935 and they divorced April 7, 1972. He survives her.

Madeline attended a South Dakota country elementary school and then graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Brookings, South Dakota. She received a teaching certificate from Columbus College in Sioux Falls.

Her first job was teaching school in a one-room country school. Later in her adult life, she was a key punch operator for Colorado Interstate Gas Company and her last place of employment was as a switchboard operator for Hibbard and Company. Her career served her well but her most rewarding accomplishment in her long life was raising her four children. They all attended Catholic schools and received a good education and made her very proud.

Madeline was a devoted life-member of the Roman Catholic Church. She got a lot of pleasure out of sewing her own clothes, crocheting, cooking, playing dominoes, cards and croquet.

She is preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Frances Lucille Bruening and Lucille Agnes Beat; a brother Virgil William Ehleringer, a son Larry William Brannen, and a son in law John Morgan Frederick.

She is survived by her sister Geraldine Veronica (Bob) Shannon of Kansas City, MO. Her children that survive are Margaret Joan Frederick of Colorado Springs, CO, James Wayne Brannen (Phyllis) of Las Vegas, NV, and Lavonne Agnes (Wade George) Causey of Colorado Springs, CO. She is also survived by six grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

A Memorial Mass will be held Tuesday the 23rd of August, 10:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. A reception will follow. She will be inurned in the Catholic Columbarium in Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, she requested that you make a memorial contribution in her name to Saint Mary’s High School, 2501 East Yampa Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 or you may have a Memorial Mass said for the repose of her soul.

Arrangements under the direction of Swan-Law Funeral Directors, Colorado Springs, CO.