Nettie Branch

Nettie L. Branch was an amazing, charming, adventuresome person, who loved life and all it had to offer: family, friends, nature, work and play. Her sparkling personality was as bright as the rich redness of her hair and the brilliant pinks she preferred to wear. She was free-spirited and passionate in her profession and her parenting, and she brought out the very best in everyone. Her gift of friendship was profoundly deep and wide, touching the lives of an ever-growing circle of loved ones. Truly, family and friends brought joy and laughter to Nettie’s smiling face, and their lives are forever enriched by her beauty.

Nettie’s story began December 4, 1943 in Kalamazoo, Michigan at a time when World War II dominated American life and President Franklin D. Roosevelt was encouraging Americans with his Fireside Chats. Families had come through the challenges of economic depression with a strong work ethic and a determination to make life better for their children. One such family was Duane A. and Grace L. (Graves) Jamieson. He owned and operated Marvane Oil Company and she worked for Bell Telephone until their children were born, and then her full attention turned to Richard, Nettie, Ben and Laura.

Nettie and her siblings grew up in Richland, just outside of Kalamazoo, and the family was very involved in the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church of Richland. Because she and her sister Laura shared a room, the two girls were close to one another. In fact, all the children got along very well, which they attributed to the support of their parents, who were examples for them to follow throughout their lives.

The Jamieson family enjoyed being together, especially for summertime activities. They often went to nearby Gull Lake to swim and to waterski behind the boat Nettie’s father had built. They spent many vacations up north and took a memorable trip to the World’s Fair, where they saw the Rockettes dance troupe and went shopping. Nettie found inspiration in shopping, because she loved clothes. She once tried her hand at sewing some of her own clothes but soon learned it was much more exciting to shop!

In high school, Nettie made the cheerleading squad her senior year, and she loved to hang out with her three best friends, Linda Brundage, Nancy McKeen, and Linda Force. Why not? She had a little red Jeepster that was so much fun, she was constantly asking for just a wee bit of extra time on weekends to spend with her friends.

Nettie graduated from Richland High School in 1962 and attended Michigan State University in Lansing for Interior Design. After one quarter, she transferred to Davenport College in Grand Rapids, and in addition to completing an Associate’s Degree as a Medical Secretary, she met the man who would become her husband.

Steven Branch and Nettie Jamieson were married December 3, 1965 in a lovely evening ceremony at her home church in Kalamazoo, St. Luke’s Episcopal Chapel. The newlyweds initially settled in the Grand Rapids area and began life’s adventure that traveled with them wherever they went.

In Grand Rapids, Nettie worked as a secretary at a doctor’s office, but then she and Steve moved to Baltimore, Maryland where he was stationed in the service. She secured a job as the secretary to the Director of Admissions of Johns Hopkins Hospital and considered it a great honor and privilege to be working at such a prestigious institution. Then, returning to her hometown of Kalamazoo, Nettie worked as a medical secretary and also as office secretary at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. In time, circumstances moved the family to northern Michigan, and Nettie became a full time mom to her two children, Jeffrey and Tiffany. She invested everything of herself into their lives, taking a hand-on approach to parenting and supporting them in whatever they chose to do.

When the children were school-aged, Nettie went back to work, first at J & W Hardware for a few years and then at Field Crafts in Benzonia. She was a wholesale purchaser for the screen printing company and was very passionate about the work and the people there. Her fellow employees became wonderful friends who filled her life with joy. She was also very devoted to a cherished group of women who respected nature and the treasures it has to offer. That was partly why Nettie became a vegetarian and learned to cook amazing meatless meals.

No matter what she put her hand to do, Nettie was thrilled with all that life afforded her. She loved to find just the “perfect moment” that could amaze her, whether it was taking a hike, swimming the bountiful lakes of Michigan, watching sunsets at Beulah Beach, talking over coffee, rummaging at a sale or just catching up with loved ones.

Nettie delighted in her family—watching her children grow into adulthood as professionals, spouses and parents. Becoming a mother-in-law and grandparent meant that Nettie could lavish her love on even more family. She took trips with her children to visit relatives, attend annual reunions that her parents hosted, camp at summer music festivals, and travel to scenic Hawaii. Whether it was with major events or simple pleasures, Nettie brought out the best in everyone by her love and compassion, her listening heart and beautiful spirit. Just to experience her sincerity and warmth was to be drawn into the loving embrace she so willingly shared.

Nettie L. Branch, 69, of Mt. Pleasant and formerly of Honor, passed away Saturday, May 4, 2013, at Woodland Hospice in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

Her free-spirit, her beautiful smile and her curly red hair will be missed by all.

Nettie is survived by two children, Dr. Jeffrey (Diane) Branch of Chicago, IL and Tiffany (Dr. Jamie) Haines of Mt. Pleasant; five grandchildren, Evan and Mitchell Haines and Rylan, Taylor and Morgan Branch; three siblings, Richard (Pamla) Jamieson of Richland, Ben Jamieson of Plainwell, and Laura (Dave) Rende of Ann Arbor.

A Memorial Service for Nettie will be held at 1 p.m., May 19, at Lux Family Life Story Funeral Home with the Rev. Nancy Casey-Fulton officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will follow at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Woodland Hospice. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. To sign the online guest book or send a condolence to the family please visit www.LuxFamilyFuneralHome.com