In Memory: Irma Mary Brabender, Passionate Church Volunteer

The following obituary was submitted by Lakeside Funeral Home:

Irma Mary Folkening Brabender, 95, of Woodstock, was called home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013.

Brabender was born in Indianapolis on March 3, 1918, to the late Edmund and Ida Folkening. She was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. In 1954, she. her husband and children moved to Memphis where they were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Then in 1989 she and her husband moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to be closer to their son, Rev. David Brabender and his church, Grace Lutheran. In 2006 Irma moved to Woodstock, to be with her daughters after her husband, LaVaughn sadly passed away.

She was a member of Timothy Lutheran Church in Woodstock. Irma was always active in service projects like the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and Meals on Wheels. She did everything from quilting blankets for the needy to sponsoring the digging of fresh water wells in needy countries. Bible reading was her favorite pass-time. Her most heart-felt prayer was for all in her family to have a Christ centered life.

In addition to her parents, Irma is preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, LaVaughn Brabender; son, Rev. David Brabender; brothers, Dr. Irving Folkening and Dr. Norval Folkening.

Survivors include her loving daughters and son-in-law Joni Karen Gallagher of Roswell and Carol Sue and Charles Notar of Jacksonville, Alabama; grandchildren Jeanine Kirk and her husband Gary, Deena Agee and her husband Steve, Cindy Gallagher, Justin Gallagher and his wife Holly, Matthew Brabender and his wife Rachel and Nicole Samples and her husband Shanon; 13 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

A funeral service was held 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 in the chapel of Lakeside Funeral Home with the Rev. Stephen Constien officiating.

Interment services are scheduled for Dec. 30 in the Concordia Cemetery in Indianapolis.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the L.C.M.S. World Missions at www.lcms.org, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7226 or Timothy Lutheran Church, 556 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock, GA 30188.

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