CLAFLIN — Berdetta was called to Heaven on April 13, 2020, at Mennonite Friendship Community, South Hutchinson, Kan. Berdetta was born Oct. 10, 1925, in Beloit, Kan. to Everett and Nettie (Sloan) Burkhead. She grew up on the family farm seven miles south of Beloit with her three siblings and her loving parents.  

Berdetta graduated from Beloit High School after attending a one room school house less than a half mile from the family farmstead. Berdetta then attended Colorado Women’s College in Denver, Colo., for two years and then continued her education at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan.. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics and then returned to the Beloit farmstead to teach school in the one room school house that she attended as a child.  

The following fall Berdetta was married to Robert Lynn Branan and returned to Manhattan for her new husband to finish up his last year of his college education. The young couple moved to Claflin where they started a family. Robert and Berdetta divorced 23 years later. Berdetta stayed in Claflin to raise her children and live her life. Berdetta was an avid reader and was active in the Independent Township Public Library serving on the board for two terms. Berdetta was also active in the United Methodist Women’s organization. She loved to sew and her favorite sewing projects was making costumes for Cabbage Patch Dolls for her friends’ grandchildren. Berdetta doted on her one grandchild treating him like he was a little prince.  

Berdetta is survived by her children Laurie Branan of Independence, Mo., Thomas Branan of Claflin, Kan., and James Branan  of Hutchinson, Kan.; a grandson, Dexter Branan and wife Olive; and great-grandchild David. Preceding her in death are her parents, Everett and Nettie Burkhead; her first born, Baby Boy Branan; two sisters Joan Apple, and Ihla Miller; and a brother, Melvin Burkhead. 

Memorial services will be 11 a.m., June 27, 2020, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with John Radenberg presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Independent Township Public Library, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 

P.O. Box 146 

Hoisington, KS 67544

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 21, 2020