Ethel Agnes Branum, 89, of Austin, died Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009 at her home in Austin.

She was born Nov. 5, 1919 in Moscow, Minn. to Axel and Maran (Mamie) (Anderson) Holmquist. Ethel graduated from Austin High School in 1938 and was married to Lawrence E. Branum on June 28, 1941 at the Moscow Lutheran Church.

She has been a long time member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church where she has been active in WELCA, the church circles and the Altar Guild. Ethel was a homemaker and enjoyed reading and baking.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence, in 2001 and two brothers, Arnold and Raymond Holmquist.

Ethel is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Earl and Marty L. Branum, Chatfield, Minn.; daughter and son-in-law, Janet and BryanAdams, Big Lake, Minn.; grandchildren, Sherri and Bill Thornburg, Mark and Carol Branum, Beth and Brent Scharpman, Matthew and Michele Adams, Melissa and Derek Hansen, Neil and Jill Adams, Eric and Jessica Adams; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters and brother-in-law, Marie Becthold, Stillwater, Minn., Phyllis Sistek, Walker, Minn., Gladys and Charlie Bliss, Austin; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with the Rev. Ron Barnett officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. and for one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday.
Honorary bearers will be Danica, Olivia and Kenna Thornburg, Victor and Isaac Scharpman, Mallory, Marit and Noah Adams, Chase Adams, Seth Hansen, Caiden Adams, Devon and Ean Adams.

Casket bearers will be Sherri Thornburg, Mark Branum, Beth Scharpman, Matthew Adams, Melissa Hansen, Neil Adams and Eric Adams.