Pauline Alta Branstetter

Mrs. Branstetter passed away Saturday, January 10, 2015 at her home West Okoboji. Pauline Alta (Schwarzenbach) Brastetter was born in Spirit Lake, Iowa on September 8, 1950. She was the fourth of five children born to Everett and Alva (Puck) Schwarzenbach of Lake Park, Iowa. She was raised on a farm east of Lake Park in a small house that was filled with love. She spent all of her fun filled school years in Lake Park where she had many, many friends and was involved in every activity that she could. She graduated from Lake Park High School in 1968 and attended the University of Northern Iowa where she received a Degree in Education in 1972. In the summer of 1972, she met her life long friend and companion, Keith A. "Skinny" Branstetter (Milford, Iowa). That year she accepted her first teaching job as a kindergarten teacher in Gila Bend, Arizona. In 1973 she accepted a teaching position at Dunbar school in Phoenix, Arizona and became not only the first white teacher but the first white person in the all black school, breaking a racial barrier that had existed for decades. In 1974 Pauline started one of the first "gifted programs" in the United States for Phoenix Elementary School District #1. The program was called Accelerated Learning Procedures (ALPS). She taught in the ALPS program for 18 wonderful years. Because of her warm and engaging personality she was loved and respected by all she came in contact with. On August 14, 1976 Pauline (affectionately known as "P" or "Bumpy") and Skinny were united in marriage in her home town of Lake Park. The couple had two children, Jessica Parrish Branstetter Rolles (1983) who is a Physician's Assistant urologist in Lakewood, Colorado and Kassidy Anne Branstetter (1987) who is a student in Iowa City, Iowa. In 1987 Pauline was given two-years leave of absence from her teaching position in Phoenix and the Branstetters accepted teaching positions at Surabaya International School, Indonesia. There she taught kindergarten the first year and 6th grade the second year. In 1989 she returned to her ALPS position in Phoenix. In 1966, the Branstetters accepted a second overseas teaching position at Frankfurt International School, Germany where she taught 3rd grade fro two years. In 1998 the Branstetters returned to their home state of Iowa, and Pauline became the Curriculum/Staff Development Coordinator for the Clear Creek-Amana school district near Iowa City until her retirement in 2005. During that time the family lived in Iowa City. Pauline was a "natural" teacher. Everyone that watched her teach knew that they were in the presence of someone special. Her classrooms were filled with joy, fun activities and music. She loved to travel and visited more than 25 countries in her lifetime. The joys of her life were her two daughters, her husband and her extended family (many not related). She was an accomplished cook and was famous for hosting large Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for her "extended family." While in Germany Pauline started collecting beautiful hand made and hand painted signature Polish Pottery stoneware. After returning to the United States she began importing the stoneware and selling it as a hobby. The hobby grew and after she retired the Branstetters opened Polish Pottery Shoppes in Sanibel, Florida in the winter and Okoboji, Iowa in the summer. She enjoyed four years in the two locations making many new friends along the way. In 2009 Pauline suffered a seizure and was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. The subsequent radiation treatment caused her to suffer a stroke six months later. On Saturday January 10, 2015 at the age of 64 years, Pauline lost her six year battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband Keith Branstetter; daughters Jessica Rolles (Steven) and Kassidy Branstetter; brothers Everett Schwarzenbach, Jr. (Patty) Egg Harbor, New Jersey and Dan Schwarzenbach (Boston, Mass); sisters-in-law Sally Zweibahmer (Jack) Milford, Iowa, Lucy Smith (Tony) Milford, Iowa, Arlene Schwarzenbach (Lyle) Cedar Falls, Iowa and brothers-in-law Jerry Branstetter (Dee Dee) Gilbert, Arizona and James Kain Mt. Vernon, Iowa; mother-in-law Kay Branstetter Arnolds Park, Iowa and father-in-law, Leonard Bransteter (Karilyn) Chandler, Arizona. She was predeceased by her parents Everett and Alva, sister Paula Schwarzenbach Kain, brother Lyle Schwarzenbach and brother-in-law Steven "Pebe" Branstetter. Pauline was an exceptionally happy person who exuded kindness and joy even in the most difficult of times. She always maintained a very close relationship with the many students that she taught and the countless friends that she made over the years. She was the kindest of souls. She was loved by all that knew her and only God will understand how much she touched the lives of so many people with her wonderful personality and love. There will be a celebration of her life on her birthday, Tuesday, September 8, 2015 in Okoboji.