Astrid L. Branton

Astrid L. Branton, 91, died Wednesday, June 22 due to complications of Alzheimer's at the Health Care Center of Attic Angels in Middleton, WI.

Astrid was born on July 7th, 1919, to Marie and Hans Maasing in Viljandi, Estonia. Due to the Russian army occupying Estonia during WWII, Astrid left her homeland and escaped to Germany, by boat, at night. It is there that she met Bob Branton who she would eventually marry and live with in the United States for the remainder of her life.

Bob and Astrid were married in the Merrimac Methodist Church on August 9, 1947.

Astrid was a stay at home mother who excelled in cooking, cleaning and being a good neighbor. However, her greatest joy was raising her three daughters: Susan, Jean and Mary.

Astrid was a member of the Midvale Community Lutheran Church since 1957.

Astrid was proud of her Estonian heritage and a member of the Overseas Club. There she met many life long friends who were also foreign-born and had married American servicemen.

Astrid was preceded in death by her parents, Hans and Marie Maasing, and two brothers, Arnold (who died in WWII) and Roland (who died as an infant). She is survived by her husband Charles, ""Bob"", Branton; her three daughters, Susan M. Bauer, Jean L. Branton, and Mary E. B. Sunde (Robert). She is also survived by six grandchildren, three great grandchildren and a brother-in-law, Donald Branton.

There will be a celebration of Astrid's life on Sunday afternoon. Memorials may be made to the Employees Appreciation Fund at Attic Angels, 8301 Old Sauk Road, Middleton, WI, 53562.