Alice (Kitty) Brandenberger

Mary Alice Catherine Brandenberger passed away Friday, November 27, 2020 in Clifton. There will be a memorial service in her honor at Our Savior’s Lutheran at Norse December 5th at 10:00 am.  Due to the Rona, it would be best to keep this memorial local.  We hope to eventually have a get together with everyone to swap Kitty stories and catch up with those we haven’t seen in a few stock shows.

Mary Alice Catherine Ward Brandenberger, better known as Kitty to her grandkids and friends, was born December 3, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas to Lewis Ward and Naomi (Lawson) Ward.  

Kitty grew up in Lufkin, where she graduated in 1961. Kitty then attended Texas Women’s University and graduated with both a Bachelor's of Science and Bachelor's of Arts degree in Home Economics in 1965. After college, she got a job as an Assistant Home Extension Agent in Big Spring, where she met her future husband, Donald Clay Brandenberger. They were married on June 25, 1966. They had their first child, Mary Ann on December 19, 1968, and their second child, Charles Mark on April 4, 1971. The family moved to the Norse community in 1973. Kitty always said that God led the family to their farm and the people of Norse. Kitty’s attempt at her first job in Clifton was squashed by Mary Ann crying on the front porch. Kitty turned around and was a housewife until the kids were old enough to fend for themselves. Kitty worked and socialized at BJ's Western Wear, Nellie Pederson Library, Texas New Mexico Power Company and Albrecht's Pharmacy. 

Kitty's jobs let her do what she loved best-meeting and talking with people! She began many life-long friendships talking with people in the checkout line. Kitty was very active at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church at Norse where she was involved in several of the women’s groups, sang in the choir, and ran the cemetery committee for many years. In the community, Kitty was active in Brownies and Girl Scouts, in which Mary Ann and Mark both participated. The activity that the entire family participated in was the raising and showing of Angus cattle all over the state and country. Kitty and Big were active in the Central Texas Fair Association for many years helping out wherever they could. Kitty was the superintendent of the baked goods division and served as the CTYF secretary for many years.

Kitty was incredibly proud of her grandchildren-Dacey Catherine Dietiker, Mason Clay and Makail Lane Brandenberger.  She attended every dance recital, sporting event, and stock show she could to support them. To her, each grandchild was a unique and wonderful individual that she loved and supported no matter what. 

Even though Kitty made her home and life on the farm, she was always a city girl at heart. She loved going to the theater, opera, musicals and art museums in Waco and DFW. Kitty always encouraged her children and grandchildren to try new things to broaden their horizons!

Kitty’s favorite thing were her trips to see her brother, Lawson, in Connecticut during the Fall. They loved to go to Broadway to watch plays and musicals, to art museums in New York and the surrounding areas, and to drive through the New York countryside to see the leaves change colors. Her favorite trip with Lawson was to Egypt in 2010. All in all, Kitty was always up for an exciting adventure, a good book, a carton of Blue Bell ice cream or a long nap....and not in any particular order.

Kitty is survived by her husband, Don; her son, Mark, and daughter-in-law Kristie; daughter, Mary Ann; precious grandchildren Dacey, Mason and Makail; and beloved big brother Lawson Ward. Even though Kitty is no longer here, she will live on through all the people she loved and touched during her wonderful life. She would want all of us to live long and prosper. 

Memorials may be made to the following: Nellie Pederson Public Library  at P.O. Box 231 Clifton, TX  76634,  Central Texas Youth Fair at P.O. Box 562 Clifton, TX  76634, or Our Savior's Lutheran Church at 152 CR 4145 Clifton, TX  76634.

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