Glenda Corinne Braga

Glenda Corinne (Kolb) Braga passed away suddenly on Friday May 13th at the age of 94 after having driven herself to her hairdresser then out to lunch with the girls and celebrating Mother’s Day just 5 days earlier.  She was born from good German stock (her grandparents built and lived in their own sod house) on April 10, 1922 in Centerville, S. D. to Frank and Nettie Kolb. She was the second of four daughters.

Glenda attended schools in Centerville, Sioux Falls and White River, S.D. (a true spot in the road) and graduated in 1940 from Ainsworth, Nebraska High School. She was one of six of 62 graduates with the highest grade average (gee I never knew this).

Her parents operated a restaurant so at the age of twelve Glenda became a waitress (times were tough then and being able to buy an orange was a great treat).  Desiring to further her education she moved to Twin Falls, living with an aunt and uncle and working as a waitress and going to Business College. In the spring of1942 she started work with Civil Service and opened the Office of Price Administration in Gooding, Id. These were the days of ration books.

Earl, her future husband, was awaiting his call as an Air Force Cadet but had come into the office to apply for tractor tires, and this is how they met. They were married in the Methodist Church in Twin Falls on March 19, 1943, and he left for training three days later. Glenda continued as Senior Clerk until December of that year and then quit to be with her husband for a year before he left overseas.

In January 1944, Glenda moved to Twin Falls and was secretary to the Superintendent of Amalgamated Sugar Company. After Earl returned from the Service they went on an extended honeymoon driving vacation for three weeks visiting Montana, Washington, Oregon and California.  Their son Larry was born on November 12, 1948. Earl began his career with Mountain Bell and then transferred to Idaho Power where they lived either in American Falls, C. J. Strike Dam, Thousand Springs Power Plant or back to Twin Falls. In 1964, Glenda began work as a secretary for Yellowstone Insurance Adjusters and continued in this capacity until 1968, when she transferred to Safeco Insurance Company and worked as a secretary and inside adjuster until 1983, when she retired.

“Glenda lived a good full life and succeeded by all the measures her generation valued” as quoted from a close family friend. An excellent housekeeper she could cook, can, sew, be thrifty and take care of her family with the best of them. What penmanship she had, but those who got the Christmas cards from the last batch would often complain that it took a magnifying glass to read, as her style while still perfect got very small near the end of each annual writing session.  Glenda was a kind and gentle person and neat dresser, who many describe as being a beautiful, caring and kind person.  She led by example and very much enjoyed sharing writings of others or small quotes as example to live one’s life by.  While the last few years she had some heath issues and pain, she would always say that “ Tomorrow will be better”. Upon holding her first great grandchild, her loving and caring ways became so clear as to how she raised her son.  She was a member of the Baptist Church in Twin Falls.

Earl and Glenda traveled extensively including to the countries of the native origin and lived in Mesa, Az. in the winter time for 24 years. Earl passed away September 16, 2010.

Surviving are her son Larry (Ann); granddaughters, Talli Sperry and Brittany (Frintner) Gailey; great grandsons, Austin Walsh and Oliver Gailey; cousin, Ramona Syverson (age 100 in Phoenix, which she just came back from visiting after traveling there by herself) and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband and two sisters.

A service will be held Saturday May 21 at 11:00 A.M. at Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls with Pastor Jeff Cooper officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that a memorial be made to the charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank all of mom’s wonderful friends (some of over 50 years) for their gifts of friendships after dad’s death and for the wonderful times they spent together going to lunch or playing bridge.

Those wishing to send condolences may do so at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.