Anna Branby

Anna Engeborg Barsness, daughter of Peter E. and Julia (Overson) Barsness, was born on September 17, 1907, on the family farm in Blue Mounds Township, just south of Starbuck. She grew up on the family farm and attended District 38 Country School through the eighth grade. Anna continued her education at the West Central School of Agriculture in Morris for two years. She was united in marriage to Melvin A. Branby. The couple lived on the Barsness family farm before moving to Minneapolis in 1943. Anna was employed as a seamstress, doing alterations for the Oval Room at Dayton?s. She also worked for the neighborhood bakery, did domestic work and did sewing from her home.

Melvin died in 1983 and a few years later Anna returned to the Starbuck area, where she has continued to live until the time of her death. She was a member of Fron Lutheran Church of Starbuck.

Anna died on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck, having lived to reach the age of 97 years.

She is survived by her son: Jerry Branby of Starbuck; three grandchildren: Jason (Vineeta) Branby of St. Paul, Jessica Branby of St. Paul and Justin Branby of Glenwood; five great-grandchildren: Ilisa, Brittany, Gabriel, Jack and Leela; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Anna was preceded in death by her parents: Peter and Julia; husband, Melvin; sisters: Ida, Sophie, Palma, Jessica, and Valborg and brothers: Ole, Alfred, Elmer, Olgar, Sherman, Dewey and Raymond.

Honorary Pallbearers for the service are all those who called Anna friend. Monica Gosseling will serve as organist for the service. Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck is in charge of the arrangements.