Barbara J. Bratland

Barbara Jean (Long) Bratland, 89, the daughter of Earl and Doris (Fleming) Long was born December 28, 1929 at her Grandpa & Grandma Fleming’s home in Livermore, Iowa. She was baptized at the Presbyterian Church in Ottosen, Iowa and later professed her faith through the Rite of Confirmation at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Bode, Iowa on November 23, 1952. Barb attended Ottosen Consolidated Schools from first grade until she graduated in 1947. Following graduation from high school she attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Home Economics and minoring in Music. Barb began her teaching career in Bradgate, Iowa. On September 22, 1951, she was united in marriage to Arnold M. Bratland at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottosen, Iowa. Soon after their wedding Arnold was inducted into the United States Army. Barb joined him in Pennsylvania while he received his basic training until he was stationed in Austria. She then returned to her parents' farm in Ottosen until his return in 1953. The couple then made their home in Bode where they started their family. They made their home in Humboldt for 8 years until returning to Bode in 1965. She was a stay at home mom for about 10 years and returned to teaching in 1964 at Twin Rivers Community Schools until retiring in 1992. She enjoyed substitute teaching for a number of years following retirement.
Barb was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Bode where she served on the church council, was a member of the senior choir, bell choir, Women of St. Olaf, Mary Martha Circle, and attended the Tuesday Bible Study breakfast group. She was also a member of the Bode Library Board, Bode American Legion Auxiliary and Daughters of the American Revolution. Barb enjoyed music all her life. She had a beautiful alto voice and sang many solos throughout her lifetime. She enjoyed singing in Sweet Adelines and the Humboldt Community Chorus through the years. She also enjoyed her morning coffee group and the retired teachers luncheons. She especially enjoyed the many family camping trips and spending time at the Bratland family cabin on Lost Island Lake. She cherished her family and loved attending events her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren participated in.
The Bratland family encourage memorials, which will be made to causes important to Barbara.
Barb is lovingly remembered by her children, Kathy Kellner of Des Moines, Kenny (Jana) Bratland of Dakota City, Bruce (Jan) Bratland of Livermore, Bev (Keith) Zinnel of Bode, and Cindy (Jerry) DeVlaeminck of Spencer; grandchildren, Ken (Laura) Bratland, Becky (David) Kellner-Ratzlaff, Betsy (Nick) Kellner-Nelson, Kevin (Lindsi) Bratland, Jered (Miranda) Bratland, Barb Kellner, Karl (Mary) Bratland, Nikki (Joel) Babcock, Arnie (Nikki) Zinnel, Melissa (Tyler) Horkey, Andy (Megan) Zinnel, Alex Zinnel, Madison DeVlaeminck, Cori DeVlaeminck, Cole DeVlaeminck, and Morgan Nelson (Honorary Grandchild); great-grandchildren, Bryan, Brayden, Emily, Connor, Brody, Hayden, Tucker, Dylan, Graham, Reid, Drew, Jackson, Collin, Ethan, Breckin, Chase, Brooks, Eli, Emersyn, Emma, Brantley, Jasmyn, Mercedes, Jacob, Kyzer, Lincoln, Mea, Elynn, and Elsie; sister, Marilyn (Don) Lange of Harlan and sister-in-law; Laila Kinseth of Bode. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold; her parents; granddaughter, Taylor Jean DeVlaeminck; sister, Beverly Joyce Long; and infant brother Richard Earl Long.