Barbara Braynard

Barbara Jean “BJ” Braynard, age 67, of Grantsburg, passed away Sunday, March 22, 2015. Barbara was born in Grantsburg on May 8, 1947, daughter of Arthur P. and Betty Charlotte (Carlson) Nelson. She attended local public schools and was a 1965 graduate of Grantsburg High School. BJ’s early adult years were spent raising her children in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, where she worked at a Tom Thumb Store. She then moved to Jordan, MN, and was employed as a Police Dispatcher. In the late 1970s, BJ made her home in Antioch, Illinois, and was a manager of an auto service station. In 1983, Barbara met Bruce E. Braynard. They were united in marriage on December 5, 1983. She returned to Grantsburg, with Bruce, in 2001. BJ was an active member of New Hope Lutheran Church in Grantsburg where she was a past member of the church council, and had also served in the church ladies organization. While residing in Antioch, IL, she became a member of Antioch Chapter 735 Women of the Moose, and was also a member of bowling leagues and pool leagues. Barbara was a loving and caring person, and loved socializing with people. She enjoyed bowling, playing pool, going to bingo games, fishing and camping, and spending precious moments with her grandchildren. BJ is survived by her mother, Betty Nelson; three children: Roxanne (Ryan) Smith, Debi York, and Ron (Kristin) Carlson; six grandchildren: Will (Andrea), Kyle (Staci) and Evan; Justin and Michael; and Christopher “Pip;” and three great-granddaughters, Mikayla, Emma-Rose and Arianna, and a great-granddaughter who will be born in May 2015. She is further survived by brothers, Steve Nelson and Kevin (Darla) Nelson; sister-in-law, Rhonda Nelson; five stepsons and three stepdaughters and their families; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Arthur “Bud” Nelson; her husband, Bruce Braynard, who passed away on April 9, 2013, as well as a son-in-law, Roy York; and a brother-in-law, Harold Braynard. A memorial service for Barbara Braynard will be conducted on Thursday, March 26, 2015, at 2:00 pm (visitation 1 – 2 pm), at New Hope Lutheran Church in Grantsburg with Pastor Emory Johnson officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Grantsburg Chapel. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com.