IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Beth Black
Braden
November 17, 2014
Obituary
ELKHART — Beth Black Braden, 100, died peacefully Monday, Nov. 17, at Eastlake Terrace in Elkhart.
Beth was born Jan. 21, 1914, in Richland Center, Wis., to Oscar Donald Black and Elvira Hatch Black.
She married Samuel E. Braden in Richland Center on June 19, 1937. He died Aug. 13, 2003, in Bloomington.
Both lifelong Presbyterians, they met at Pres House at the University of Wisconsin.
She is survived by four children, Mary Beth (W. Richard) West of Los Angeles, Stephen (Marjorie) Braden of Elkhart, John (Linda) Braden of Champaign, Ill., and David (Ann) Braden of Edina, Minn. She is also survived by her sister, Ruth (George) Fowell, of Richland Center, Wis.; eight grandchildren, Amy West of Chicago, Benjamin West of Washington, D.C., Sarah Katherine (Theodore) Brenner of Madison, Wis., Elizabeth (Jon) Wood of Fairfax, Va., Alex (Shannon) Braden of Philadelphia, Julia (Eric) Reitz of Seattle and Samuel Mason Braden and Andrew Braden, both of Elkhart; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her brother, Raymond D. Black of Phoenix.
Beth graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a major in economics. During her husband's career as a college professor, dean and vice-president (Indiana University Bloomington), president (Illinois State University) and chairman of business and economics (Indiana University Southeast), she was a loving wife and mother, a gracious hostess, an enthusiastic travel companion, an active church and choir member and a caring friend.
She was a Presbyterian deacon and active in various civic and service organizations. She loved music, playing piano for silent movies in her youth and for the care facility residents in her old age. She was most recently a member of First Presbyterian Church of Elkhart.
Cremation has taken place. A private family service will be at a later date.
Memorial gifts may be given to First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart, IN 46514; the Illinois State University Foundation/Braden Internship Fund, Campus Box 8000, Normal, IL 61790; or First Presbyterian Church, 221 E. Sixth St., Bloomington, IN 47408.
Arrangements are under the care of Billings Funeral Home in Elkhart.
Beth was born Jan. 21, 1914, in Richland Center, Wis., to Oscar Donald Black and Elvira Hatch Black.
She married Samuel E. Braden in Richland Center on June 19, 1937. He died Aug. 13, 2003, in Bloomington.
Both lifelong Presbyterians, they met at Pres House at the University of Wisconsin.
She is survived by four children, Mary Beth (W. Richard) West of Los Angeles, Stephen (Marjorie) Braden of Elkhart, John (Linda) Braden of Champaign, Ill., and David (Ann) Braden of Edina, Minn. She is also survived by her sister, Ruth (George) Fowell, of Richland Center, Wis.; eight grandchildren, Amy West of Chicago, Benjamin West of Washington, D.C., Sarah Katherine (Theodore) Brenner of Madison, Wis., Elizabeth (Jon) Wood of Fairfax, Va., Alex (Shannon) Braden of Philadelphia, Julia (Eric) Reitz of Seattle and Samuel Mason Braden and Andrew Braden, both of Elkhart; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her brother, Raymond D. Black of Phoenix.
Beth graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a major in economics. During her husband's career as a college professor, dean and vice-president (Indiana University Bloomington), president (Illinois State University) and chairman of business and economics (Indiana University Southeast), she was a loving wife and mother, a gracious hostess, an enthusiastic travel companion, an active church and choir member and a caring friend.
She was a Presbyterian deacon and active in various civic and service organizations. She loved music, playing piano for silent movies in her youth and for the care facility residents in her old age. She was most recently a member of First Presbyterian Church of Elkhart.
Cremation has taken place. A private family service will be at a later date.
Memorial gifts may be given to First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart, IN 46514; the Illinois State University Foundation/Braden Internship Fund, Campus Box 8000, Normal, IL 61790; or First Presbyterian Church, 221 E. Sixth St., Bloomington, IN 47408.
Arrangements are under the care of Billings Funeral Home in Elkhart.
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Services
Private Family Services