Dorothy M. Branner

Dorothy was born on July 30, 1930, in Sherrard, the daughter of Charles Freeman and Margaret (Robertson) Sanquist. She married Richard “Dick” Thomas Branner on April 29, 1949. He preceded her in death on March 27, 1991.

Dorothy graduated from Sherrard High School in 1948. She worked for the Rock Island Arsenal for a time before staying home to raise her children. Dorothy was a member of Risen Christ Lutheran Church, in Davenport, IA, for many years before moving to the Springfield area to be with her family. She was very involved in the church while she was able and missed it dearly when she moved away. Dorothy was able to spend most of her time babysitting a few of her grandchildren as they grew up and loved them dearly. She also enjoyed working puzzles, gardening, collecting angels, going to the movies, obsessing over Richard Gere and Harrison Ford, and she never left home without a crossword puzzle fill-in book.

Most of Dorothy’s family will remember her for always asking where her purse was, whether the place you were going to had a bathroom, or how to do anything on her computer or TV. She was feisty, strong-willed, and could guilt trip a person into doing almost anything for her.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dick; infant son, Dennis; brothers, Freeman and Robert Sanquist; and sister, Elvera Strahl.

She is survived by her sons, Steve (Linda) Branner of St. Louis, MO, and David (Gail) Branner of Tupelo, MS; daughters, Mary Suhr of Richland, MO, and Chris (Kevin) Jirschele of Springfield; grandchildren, Pam (Brad) Tribbett, Richard Branner, Joshua Branner, Aaron (Maribel) Suhr, Mathew (Emily) Suhr, Nathaniel (Mandy) Suhr, Danielle (Bill) Morrow, Sarah (D.J.) Ferguson, Kimberly (Clark) Province, Scott (Tracy) Branner, Andy Jirschele, Becky (Andrew) Cowan, and Seth Jirschele; great-grandchildren, Alex, Samantha, Palmy, Isaac, Jacob, Gabriel, Abigail, D.J., Michael, Bowie Rain, Carson, Dean, and one on the way; and a few nieces and nephews.

Graveside Ceremony: 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 19, 2021, at Rock Island Memorial Park, 4205 30th St., Rock Island, IL with Pastor Brian Licht officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Autism Support of Central Illinois, P.O. Box 8781, Springfield, IL 62791-8781 or Arthur’s Acres Animal Sanctuary, 89 Ahrens Rd., Parksville, NY 12768.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield.