Gordon Keith Branes

ROCHESTER -Gordon Keith Branes, 92, died peacefully on Friday, May 16, 2014 embraced by his loving family at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.He was born in St. Paul on February 2, 1922 to Alfred and Clara (Knutson) Branes.Gordon grew up in St. Paul and graduated from Harding High School in 1941. Gordon was a Machinist Mate in the U.S. Navy during WWII from 1942 through 1945.He served in the Pacific Theater on surface and submarine craft.Gordon attended St. Olaf College from 1946 through 1947 and graduated from Macalester College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1950. Gordon married Dorothy Louise Rieckman of Morris, MN in June 1948 and together they raised three children.He shared his life with her for 51 years until her death in March 1999.Gordon graduated from Mayo School of Physical Therapy in 1952 and served in several capacities at Mayo Clinic for 35 years.He was the beloved Director of the Physical Therapy Program at Mayo Clinic from 1964 until his retirement in 1985.He achieved the academic appointment level of Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy in the Mayo Clinic School of Health Related Sciences. Gordon married Kathleen Susan Reinsvold, of Rochester in August 2003.Together they enjoyed spending time with their friends and families at their lake cabin in Cumberland, WI and later at their Cabin in the Sky condominium in Lake City, MN.Gordon was a people oriented person who volunteered and directed in a variety of philanthropic groups most of his life.He was a firm believer in education and mentoring youth in activities such as little league baseball and Indian Guides.He served on the boards of directors of the Rochester YMCA, Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home and Foundation, Salvation Army, and the Valhalla Management Association.He also served in a variety of positions at Our Savior's, where he and his family were longtime members.Gordon was honored for his work in the Rochester Rotary Club by being named to a Paul Harris Fellowship Service Award. Gordon is survived by his wife, Kathleen;two sons, Roger (Sharon) Branes, Dr. Gerald (Julie) Branes; a daughter, Dr. Laurel (Mary Huff) Branes; a stepson, Shawn Draves; a stepdaughter, Stephanie (Tom) Johnson;nine grandchildren, Jesse (Louise) Branes, Keith (Jennifer) Branes, Michael Branes, Jessica (Scott) McTaggart, Christopher Branes, Lucas Stalford, Laura (Chad) Heberly, Emily and Luke Branes-Huff; eight great grandchildren, Alyssa and Avery Branes, Bodhi and Adelyn Heberly, Liam McTaggart, Hailey, Brayden, and Zoey Branes; seven step-grandchildren, Ericka and Alicia Draves, Danyelle, Joe, Jake, Luke Moore, and Liz Johnson; and one step-great grandchild, Mimi Johnson. Gordon is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Clara; his wife Dorothy; a sister, Doris; and two brothers, Alfred and Harold. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 2124 Viola Rd. NE,with Rev. Fred Rengstorf officiating.Visitation will be from 4-7 P.M. on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home and an hour prior to the service at the church.Burial with military honors will take place at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester. Memorials can be directed to Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Samaritan Bethany Foundation, or The Rochester Foundation. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW,Rochester, MN. (507) 289-3600 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com