John H. Bransfield

John Henry Bransfield was born April 15, 1947, in Middletown, Connecticut, the son of Harry and Norma Bransfield. He was the eldest of 8 children. His family moved to Pasadena, California where John graduated from John Muir High School. After graduation, John enlisted in the United States Marine Corps serving his country in Viet Nam. Following his honorable discharge, he remained in California, attended college at Pasadena City College and earned his AA degree. He moved to Arizona and married Mary McCloskey in 1977, where they had their first four of six children. (Jennifer, Elizabeth, Rhett, and Levi). His family moved to Minnesota where their two youngest children were born (Madeline and Angela). John continued to serve his country as a member of the National Guard and furthered his education at a technical college where he was on the Deans list and received his diploma in electronic specialties. He worked as a carpenter and painter in various places. John was divorced and later settled in Iowa. In 2003, John and Welma became pen pals and wrote each other overseas for four years before Welma moved from Hong Kong. It was "love at first write." On February 3, 2008, Joh...[more]

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as united in marriage to Welma at Amazing Grace Church in rural Lone Rock, Iowa. They lived in Wesley with their dog Elmer. John enjoyed seeing his grandchildren and the time he spent with his family. He also enjoyed fishing, woodworking, playing scrabble, watching boxing on TV, talking to his brother Bob on the phone, listening to country western and oldies music. He studied scriptures, followed politics, (especially the presidential elections), watched documentaries and studied history, (especially WWII). He loved Welma's cinnamon rolls and vegetables from her garden, especially her Big Red Tomatoes on a BLT or a hamburger. John was an intelligent, practical, moral man of honor. Those who knew John saw his good and compassionate heart, especially for the poor and downtrodden. He was a good human being! John died Friday, February 27, 2015, at the Mercy Medical Center North Iowa in Mason City, Iowa. He was 67. Survivors include his wife, Welma and dog Elmer of Wesley; children, Jennifer Bransfield and friend Mark Lentsch of Whittemore; Elizabeth and Mike Lentsch, Jr. of Wesley; Rhett and Melisa Bransfield of Dodge Center, MN; Madeline Bransfield and friend Stefan Heins of Green Bay, WI; Angela and Jerod Frideres of Algona; 13 grandchildren; siblings, Robert and Shelly Bransfield of Grants Pass, OR; Richard Bransfield of Forest City; Amy and Richard Benson of Titonka; Ruth Bransfield of Algona; Thomas and Jan Bransfield of Fenton; Mark Bransfield of Algona and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Susan (Bransfield) Hara, and his son, Levi Bransfield.