Arnold Branham

On May 16, 2016, Arnold Hanson Branham returned home to our Heavenly Father and the loving arms of his eternal companion, LaRae Mills.  Arnold was born January 15,1926, in Nashville, Wisconsin; the youngest of 12 children born to Bertha L. Pitts and Samuel T. Branham.  He was taught the value of hard work, love and devotion to family.  Blessed with the gift of song ,  Arnold shared that gift throughout his life (be it a gospel song or humorous song) with family and friends wherever he went.  He served a faithful 2-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Northwestern States.  Arnold was also a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in his early adulthood and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Family and friends always enjoyed his dry sense of humor, and he affectionately passed that talent on to his posterity.  He was an avid reader of many genres, but especially Western novels.  You would often find him with a child or grandchild- seated behind him on a chair (scratching his head), while he read aloud to the blessed one.  There was always an anticipated payment for the head scratcher- anywhere from 5 cents to a quarter.  With an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, he would be found reading everything from the scriptures, to novels, health and wellness, and even encyclopedias.

Arnold’s love for the gospel of Jesus Christ and our Savior was unwavering.  He had an amazing knowledge of the gospel and of eternal life, and he could recite volumes of scripture from memory throughout his adult life.  He also had a gift for poetry and has countless volumes of works he wrote to his wife, LaRae, and his second wife, Betty, as well as to family and friends each year in a beautiful Christmas letter.

After his first wife, LaRae, passed away in 1988, Arnold was so very lonely.  He longed for a companion.  He found a wonderful one in Betty Jensen.  She was by his side until her death in 2015.  He loved and cherished both women dearly and tenderly cared for both through illness and death.  He was Daddy to his children as they grew up; Papa to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Other fond titles he was known by:  The Purple People Eater, the Trap, the Enforcer (when the strap was draped through his belt), a businessman, a trusted counselor to many,  Midhusband, gardener (his children were given the privilege of helping with cultivating, planting, and weeding), a friend, and a servant of God.

Arnold leaves behind his beloved half-sister, Brenda Blanton, 10 children and 3 step-children:  Kevin Branham, Kory Branham, Ange’ Workman, Kerry Branham, Kurt Branham, Kirby Branham, Karson Branham, Amber Anderson, Apryll Walker, Aurora Brandaris,  Barry Jensen, Steven Jensen and Linda Bentz.  He is blessed with COUNTLESS grandchildren and great grandchildren. Arnold’s legacy will continue on with the talent and love of music in so many of his posterity.  We are forever blessed because of his love and example.  God be with you, Dad and Papa, until we meet again….

Private Memorial services will be held at a later date.