Virginia Pearl French Galbreath Wright
DOB: 09/02/1918, Archie, Cass County, Missouri
DOD: 12/01/2005, San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas
Burial: Union Cemetery, Lockridge Township, Jefferson County, Iowa
====
San Angelo Standard Times, Page 2, 12/03/2005.
SAN ANGELO - Virginia Wright, 87, died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005 at her residence. Service will be Sunday in Union Cemetery in Fairfield, Iowa. Arrangements are by Starke Funeral Home.
Survivors include daughter, Karen Brokken, of San Angelo.
====
The Des Moines Register, Page 168, 12/03/2005.
VIRGINIA GALBREATH WRIGHT
San Angelo, Texas
Virginia Galbreath Wright, 87, of San Angelo, TX, formally of Des Moines, died peacefully in her sleep of natural causes in the home of her daughter, Karen Brokken.
Virginia graduated from the University of Kansas with a B. S. in nursing and a masters degree in public health nursing. She was a long time Des Moines school nurse and served as Supervisor of School Health Services for the D.M.I.S.D. During WWII, Virginia, a 1st Lt., served as an army nurse. She is also a past President of the Iowa Nurses Association.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, W. W. and Eva Maud French; sister, Mary Calhoun, Willa Graham and Thelma Kappelman; and granddaughter, Beth Marie Brokken.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Tom Brokken of San Angelo, TX; grandson and his wife, Ray and Leslie Brokken; and greatgrandchildren, Tarjei and Kirstyn Brokken of Cypress, TX.
Following cremation by the Starks Funeral Home in San Angelo, TX, a funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday afternoon in the New Sweden United Methodist Church (3mi. North of Lockridge, IA) under the loving care and guidance of Rev. Dianna Brokken. Internment will follow at Union Cemetery in rural Jefferson County.
[D.M.I.S.D., Des Moines Independents School District.]
[Karen Elaine Galbreath Brokken, Thomas "Tom" Dean Brokken.]
[Leslie Caroline Highsmith Brokken, Ray Trenton Brokken.]
====
Tulsa Herald All Church Press, Page 13, 06/15/1945.
M/S/ and Mrs. Neal Galbreath are rejoicing in the birth of Karen Elaine. Mrs. Galbreath is with her parents at Harrisonville, Mo. Neal is a brother of Mrs. Walter LaFon.
[Edith Muriel Galbreath LaFon, Walter Virie LaFon.]
[I think "M/S" is Master Sargent.]
[Karen Elaine Galbreath Brokken was born 06/09/1945, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri.]
[Two twins babies died in 1943, according to family history before Karen's birth.]
====
The Star Journal, Page 1, 06/19/1945.
MISS MARY FRENCH RETURNS FROM VISIT
Miss Mary French returned early Monday from a week's visit in Des Moines, Ia., with her sister, Mrs. George Kappelman, and Mr. Kappelman. She was accompanied by her niece, Georgina Graham, who remained for a visit with her aunt. Mrs. Kappelman is the former Thelma French. Mr. Kappelman, a graduate of the College here, is now on an inactive status with the navy, after having taught in a yeoman school. He has returned to his former position is a teacher in Des Moines.
Miss French has learned of the birth of a daughter to another sister, Mrs. Neal Galbreath and Master Sgt. Galbreath. The baby was born in Research Hospital in Kansas City. Sgt. Galbreath is stationed in Alabama.
====
Urich Herald Montrose Tidings, Page 4, 01/13/1961.
Miss Karen Galbreath has returned to her home in Des Moines, Ia., after spending the holidays in the home of Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Calhoun. On Christmas Day Miss Galbreath, her mother, Mrs. Virginia Galbreath, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. French of Harrisonville and Mr. and Mrs. George Kappelman of Des Moines were dinner guests in the Calhoun home.
====
[The fourth daughter of Walter William French and Eva Maude "Maud" Bradbury French was Virginia Pearl French. She was born on September 2, 1918, on the farm half-way between Archie and Harrisonville, Missouri.]
[Mary Elizabeth French Calhoun, 01/17/1908, Archie, Cass County, Missouri.]
[Thelma Talitha French Kappelman, 07/05/1911, Archie, Cass County, Missouri.]
[Willa Lee French Graham, 10/26/1914, Archie, Cass County, Missouri.]
[Virginia Pearl French Galbreath Wright, 09/02/1918, Archie, Cass County, Missouri]
[Divorced 01/1946, Willard Neal Galbreath.]
[Willard Neal Galbreath married Evelyn Edith Sarah Crosby, 12/03/1951.]
[Divorced 1986, Wayne K. Wright.]
[2nd Lt Us Army World War II.]
====
Virginia Pearl, coming of age just after the depression, left home to attend high school in Harrisonville. She then attended college, earning her B.S. degree in nursing. Nurses were needed in the military at that time because of the growing threat of war so Virginia enlisted in the Army. While in the Army, Virginia married Neal Galbreath, also an officer. When she became pregnant with twins, she had to leave military service. Tragically, she and Neal lost the babies. She returned to the farm as he was being transferred to different military bases, American involvement in WWII in full swing. After the war, Virgina and Neal had a daughter Karen (DOB: 06/09/1945) but the marriage did not survive long. Virginia was deserted by Neal and was left to raise her daughter alone, a more uncommon challenge in 1945 than today, and one which Virginia handled admirably. In 1949, Virginia and Karen moved to Des Moines, Iowa to settle near Thelma who offered to be of help. There, Virginia achieved success in her career, becoming the head nurse of the Des Moines school system and the president of the Iowa Nurses Association. In her fifties, Virgina had a second marriage to Wayne K. Wright. Virgina eventually divorced and moved to live with her daughter in Texas.
====
The only child of Virginia and Neal Galbreath, Karen was born after her parents met in the Army during WWII. The marriage lasted only about three years after which Neal left the family. Karen grew up in Des Moines, Iowa having a close relationship with her mother and Aunt Thelma. After attending Iowa State University with an interest in design, Karen married Tom Brokken and moved to Illinois. The couple had two children, Ray and Beth and moved to Texas where they ran a cemetery (Palm Valley Crematorium in Pharr, TX, d/b/a Magic Valley Memorial Gardens).
Beth had been born with hydrocephalus and a serios neural tube defect. Although she was seriously impaired physically by these birth defects, it did not affect her spirit or her intelligence. She required repeated surgeries and spent her life in a wheelchair. Such serious medical problems demanded huge resources from Karen and the family. Beth Marie Brokken died 08/16/1992 and was born in Rockford, Ill.
Beth Marie Brokken was a 1988 graduate of Edinburg High School. She attended the University of Texas Pan American and Midland College after moving to Midland in 1990. She was 22 years old when she died.
Ray Trenton Brokken an easy going, athletic man, enjoyed football as a teen and later married Leslie Caroline Highsmith Brokken and had two children, Tarjei Brokken (1990) and Kirstyn Caroline Brokken Hughes (1992).
The entire family including Karen's mother Virginia Pearl French Galbreath Wright lived in San Angelo, Texas.
====
1920 Everett, Cass, Missouri.
1930 Everett, Cass, Missouri.
1940 Kansas City, Wyandotte, Kansas, Student Nurse.
1949 Des Moines, Polk, Iowa, 1306 21st St., 629 3rd St. Public School Nurse, SS 478-34-5153.
1950 Des Moines, Polk, Iowa, School Nurse, Public School, Divorced.
1986 Hidlago, Texas.
1993 Lubbock, Lubbock, Texas.
2005 San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas.
====
Brian D. Vaughn
DOB: 09/02/1918, Archie, Cass County, Missouri
DOD: 12/01/2005, San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas
Burial: Union Cemetery, Lockridge Township, Jefferson County, Iowa
====
San Angelo Standard Times, Page 2, 12/03/2005.
SAN ANGELO - Virginia Wright, 87, died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005 at her residence. Service will be Sunday in Union Cemetery in Fairfield, Iowa. Arrangements are by Starke Funeral Home.
Survivors include daughter, Karen Brokken, of San Angelo.
====
The Des Moines Register, Page 168, 12/03/2005.
VIRGINIA GALBREATH WRIGHT
San Angelo, Texas
Virginia Galbreath Wright, 87, of San Angelo, TX, formally of Des Moines, died peacefully in her sleep of natural causes in the home of her daughter, Karen Brokken.
Virginia graduated from the University of Kansas with a B. S. in nursing and a masters degree in public health nursing. She was a long time Des Moines school nurse and served as Supervisor of School Health Services for the D.M.I.S.D. During WWII, Virginia, a 1st Lt., served as an army nurse. She is also a past President of the Iowa Nurses Association.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, W. W. and Eva Maud French; sister, Mary Calhoun, Willa Graham and Thelma Kappelman; and granddaughter, Beth Marie Brokken.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Tom Brokken of San Angelo, TX; grandson and his wife, Ray and Leslie Brokken; and greatgrandchildren, Tarjei and Kirstyn Brokken of Cypress, TX.
Following cremation by the Starks Funeral Home in San Angelo, TX, a funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday afternoon in the New Sweden United Methodist Church (3mi. North of Lockridge, IA) under the loving care and guidance of Rev. Dianna Brokken. Internment will follow at Union Cemetery in rural Jefferson County.
[D.M.I.S.D., Des Moines Independents School District.]
[Karen Elaine Galbreath Brokken, Thomas "Tom" Dean Brokken.]
[Leslie Caroline Highsmith Brokken, Ray Trenton Brokken.]
====
Tulsa Herald All Church Press, Page 13, 06/15/1945.
M/S/ and Mrs. Neal Galbreath are rejoicing in the birth of Karen Elaine. Mrs. Galbreath is with her parents at Harrisonville, Mo. Neal is a brother of Mrs. Walter LaFon.
[Edith Muriel Galbreath LaFon, Walter Virie LaFon.]
[I think "M/S" is Master Sargent.]
[Karen Elaine Galbreath Brokken was born 06/09/1945, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri.]
[Two twins babies died in 1943, according to family history before Karen's birth.]
====
The Star Journal, Page 1, 06/19/1945.
MISS MARY FRENCH RETURNS FROM VISIT
Miss Mary French returned early Monday from a week's visit in Des Moines, Ia., with her sister, Mrs. George Kappelman, and Mr. Kappelman. She was accompanied by her niece, Georgina Graham, who remained for a visit with her aunt. Mrs. Kappelman is the former Thelma French. Mr. Kappelman, a graduate of the College here, is now on an inactive status with the navy, after having taught in a yeoman school. He has returned to his former position is a teacher in Des Moines.
Miss French has learned of the birth of a daughter to another sister, Mrs. Neal Galbreath and Master Sgt. Galbreath. The baby was born in Research Hospital in Kansas City. Sgt. Galbreath is stationed in Alabama.
====
Urich Herald Montrose Tidings, Page 4, 01/13/1961.
Miss Karen Galbreath has returned to her home in Des Moines, Ia., after spending the holidays in the home of Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Calhoun. On Christmas Day Miss Galbreath, her mother, Mrs. Virginia Galbreath, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. French of Harrisonville and Mr. and Mrs. George Kappelman of Des Moines were dinner guests in the Calhoun home.
====
[The fourth daughter of Walter William French and Eva Maude "Maud" Bradbury French was Virginia Pearl French. She was born on September 2, 1918, on the farm half-way between Archie and Harrisonville, Missouri.]
[Mary Elizabeth French Calhoun, 01/17/1908, Archie, Cass County, Missouri.]
[Thelma Talitha French Kappelman, 07/05/1911, Archie, Cass County, Missouri.]
[Willa Lee French Graham, 10/26/1914, Archie, Cass County, Missouri.]
[Virginia Pearl French Galbreath Wright, 09/02/1918, Archie, Cass County, Missouri]
[Divorced 01/1946, Willard Neal Galbreath.]
[Willard Neal Galbreath married Evelyn Edith Sarah Crosby, 12/03/1951.]
[Divorced 1986, Wayne K. Wright.]
[2nd Lt Us Army World War II.]
====
Virginia Pearl, coming of age just after the depression, left home to attend high school in Harrisonville. She then attended college, earning her B.S. degree in nursing. Nurses were needed in the military at that time because of the growing threat of war so Virginia enlisted in the Army. While in the Army, Virginia married Neal Galbreath, also an officer. When she became pregnant with twins, she had to leave military service. Tragically, she and Neal lost the babies. She returned to the farm as he was being transferred to different military bases, American involvement in WWII in full swing. After the war, Virgina and Neal had a daughter Karen (DOB: 06/09/1945) but the marriage did not survive long. Virginia was deserted by Neal and was left to raise her daughter alone, a more uncommon challenge in 1945 than today, and one which Virginia handled admirably. In 1949, Virginia and Karen moved to Des Moines, Iowa to settle near Thelma who offered to be of help. There, Virginia achieved success in her career, becoming the head nurse of the Des Moines school system and the president of the Iowa Nurses Association. In her fifties, Virgina had a second marriage to Wayne K. Wright. Virgina eventually divorced and moved to live with her daughter in Texas.
====
The only child of Virginia and Neal Galbreath, Karen was born after her parents met in the Army during WWII. The marriage lasted only about three years after which Neal left the family. Karen grew up in Des Moines, Iowa having a close relationship with her mother and Aunt Thelma. After attending Iowa State University with an interest in design, Karen married Tom Brokken and moved to Illinois. The couple had two children, Ray and Beth and moved to Texas where they ran a cemetery (Palm Valley Crematorium in Pharr, TX, d/b/a Magic Valley Memorial Gardens).
Beth had been born with hydrocephalus and a serios neural tube defect. Although she was seriously impaired physically by these birth defects, it did not affect her spirit or her intelligence. She required repeated surgeries and spent her life in a wheelchair. Such serious medical problems demanded huge resources from Karen and the family. Beth Marie Brokken died 08/16/1992 and was born in Rockford, Ill.
Beth Marie Brokken was a 1988 graduate of Edinburg High School. She attended the University of Texas Pan American and Midland College after moving to Midland in 1990. She was 22 years old when she died.
Ray Trenton Brokken an easy going, athletic man, enjoyed football as a teen and later married Leslie Caroline Highsmith Brokken and had two children, Tarjei Brokken (1990) and Kirstyn Caroline Brokken Hughes (1992).
The entire family including Karen's mother Virginia Pearl French Galbreath Wright lived in San Angelo, Texas.
====
1920 Everett, Cass, Missouri.
1930 Everett, Cass, Missouri.
1940 Kansas City, Wyandotte, Kansas, Student Nurse.
1949 Des Moines, Polk, Iowa, 1306 21st St., 629 3rd St. Public School Nurse, SS 478-34-5153.
1950 Des Moines, Polk, Iowa, School Nurse, Public School, Divorced.
1986 Hidlago, Texas.
1993 Lubbock, Lubbock, Texas.
2005 San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas.
====
Brian D. Vaughn
Virginia Pearl French Galbreath Wright
DOB: 09/02/1918, Archie, Cass County, Missouri
DOD: 12/01/2005, San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas
Burial: Union Cemetery, Lockridge Township, Jefferson County, Iowa
====
San Angelo Standard Times, Page 2, 12/03/2005.
SAN ANGELO - Virginia Wright, 87, died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005 at her residence. Service will be Sunday in Union Cemetery in Fairfield, Iowa. Arrangements are by Starke Funeral Home.
Survivors include daughter, Karen Brokken, of San Angelo.
====
The Des Moines Register, Page 168, 12/03/2005.
VIRGINIA GALBREATH WRIGHT
San Angelo, Texas
Virginia Galbreath Wright, 87, of San Angelo, TX, formally of Des Moines, died peacefully in her sleep of natural causes in the home of her daughter, Karen Brokken.
Virginia graduated from the University of Kansas with a B. S. in nursing and a masters degree in public health nursing. She was a long time Des Moines school nurse and served as Supervisor of School Health Services for the D.M.I.S.D. During WWII, Virginia, a 1st Lt., served as an army nurse. She is also a past President of the Iowa Nurses Association.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, W. W. and Eva Maud French; sister, Mary Calhoun, Willa Graham and Thelma Kappelman; and granddaughter, Beth Marie Brokken.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Tom Brokken of San Angelo, TX; grandson and his wife, Ray and Leslie Brokken; and greatgrandchildren, Tarjei and Kirstyn Brokken of Cypress, TX.
Following cremation by the Starks Funeral Home in San Angelo, TX, a funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday afternoon in the New Sweden United Methodist Church (3mi. North of Lockridge, IA) under the loving care and guidance of Rev. Dianna Brokken. Internment will follow at Union Cemetery in rural Jefferson County.
[D.M.I.S.D., Des Moines Independents School District.]
[Karen Elaine Galbreath Brokken, Thomas "Tom" Dean Brokken.]
[Leslie Caroline Highsmith Brokken, Ray Trenton Brokken.]
====
Tulsa Herald All Church Press, Page 13, 06/15/1945.
M/S/ and Mrs. Neal Galbreath are rejoicing in the birth of Karen Elaine. Mrs. Galbreath is with her parents at Harrisonville, Mo. Neal is a brother of Mrs. Walter LaFon.
[Edith Muriel Galbreath LaFon, Walter Virie LaFon.]
[I think "M/S" is Master Sargent.]
[Karen Elaine Galbreath Brokken was born 06/09/1945, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri.]
[Two twins babies died in 1943, according to family history before Karen's birth.]
====
The Star Journal, Page 1, 06/19/1945.
MISS MARY FRENCH RETURNS FROM VISIT
Miss Mary French returned early Monday from a week's visit in Des Moines, Ia., with her sister, Mrs. George Kappelman, and Mr. Kappelman. She was accompanied by her niece, Georgina Graham, who remained for a visit with her aunt. Mrs. Kappelman is the former Thelma French. Mr. Kappelman, a graduate of the College here, is now on an inactive status with the navy, after having taught in a yeoman school. He has returned to his former position is a teacher in Des Moines.
Miss French has learned of the birth of a daughter to another sister, Mrs. Neal Galbreath and Master Sgt. Galbreath. The baby was born in Research Hospital in Kansas City. Sgt. Galbreath is stationed in Alabama.
====
Urich Herald Montrose Tidings, Page 4, 01/13/1961.
Miss Karen Galbreath has returned to her home in Des Moines, Ia., after spending the holidays in the home of Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Calhoun. On Christmas Day Miss Galbreath, her mother, Mrs. Virginia Galbreath, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. French of Harrisonville and Mr. and Mrs. George Kappelman of Des Moines were dinner guests in the Calhoun home.
====
[The fourth daughter of Walter William French and Eva Maude "Maud" Bradbury French was Virginia Pearl French. She was born on September 2, 1918, on the farm half-way between Archie and Harrisonville, Missouri.]
[Mary Elizabeth French Calhoun, 01/17/1908, Archie, Cass County, Missouri.]
[Thelma Talitha French Kappelman, 07/05/1911, Archie, Cass County, Missouri.]
[Willa Lee French Graham, 10/26/1914, Archie, Cass County, Missouri.]
[Virginia Pearl French Galbreath Wright, 09/02/1918, Archie, Cass County, Missouri]
[Divorced 01/1946, Willard Neal Galbreath.]
[Willard Neal Galbreath married Evelyn Edith Sarah Crosby, 12/03/1951.]
[Divorced 1986, Wayne K. Wright.]
[2nd Lt Us Army World War II.]
====
Virginia Pearl, coming of age just after the depression, left home to attend high school in Harrisonville. She then attended college, earning her B.S. degree in nursing. Nurses were needed in the military at that time because of the growing threat of war so Virginia enlisted in the Army. While in the Army, Virginia married Neal Galbreath, also an officer. When she became pregnant with twins, she had to leave military service. Tragically, she and Neal lost the babies. She returned to the farm as he was being transferred to different military bases, American involvement in WWII in full swing. After the war, Virgina and Neal had a daughter Karen (DOB: 06/09/1945) but the marriage did not survive long. Virginia was deserted by Neal and was left to raise her daughter alone, a more uncommon challenge in 1945 than today, and one which Virginia handled admirably. In 1949, Virginia and Karen moved to Des Moines, Iowa to settle near Thelma who offered to be of help. There, Virginia achieved success in her career, becoming the head nurse of the Des Moines school system and the president of the Iowa Nurses Association. In her fifties, Virgina had a second marriage to Wayne K. Wright. Virgina eventually divorced and moved to live with her daughter in Texas.
====
The only child of Virginia and Neal Galbreath, Karen was born after her parents met in the Army during WWII. The marriage lasted only about three years after which Neal left the family. Karen grew up in Des Moines, Iowa having a close relationship with her mother and Aunt Thelma. After attending Iowa State University with an interest in design, Karen married Tom Brokken and moved to Illinois. The couple had two children, Ray and Beth and moved to Texas where they ran a cemetery (Palm Valley Crematorium in Pharr, TX, d/b/a Magic Valley Memorial Gardens).
Beth had been born with hydrocephalus and a serios neural tube defect. Although she was seriously impaired physically by these birth defects, it did not affect her spirit or her intelligence. She required repeated surgeries and spent her life in a wheelchair. Such serious medical problems demanded huge resources from Karen and the family. Beth Marie Brokken died 08/16/1992 and was born in Rockford, Ill.
Beth Marie Brokken was a 1988 graduate of Edinburg High School. She attended the University of Texas Pan American and Midland College after moving to Midland in 1990. She was 22 years old when she died.
Ray Trenton Brokken an easy going, athletic man, enjoyed football as a teen and later married Leslie Caroline Highsmith Brokken and had two children, Tarjei Brokken (1990) and Kirstyn Caroline Brokken Hughes (1992).
The entire family including Karen's mother Virginia Pearl French Galbreath Wright lived in San Angelo, Texas.
====
1920 Everett, Cass, Missouri.
1930 Everett, Cass, Missouri.
1940 Kansas City, Wyandotte, Kansas, Student Nurse.
1949 Des Moines, Polk, Iowa, 1306 21st St., 629 3rd St. Public School Nurse, SS 478-34-5153.
1950 Des Moines, Polk, Iowa, School Nurse, Public School, Divorced.
1986 Hidlago, Texas.
1993 Lubbock, Lubbock, Texas.
2005 San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas.
====
Brian D. Vaughn
DOB: 09/02/1918, Archie, Cass County, Missouri
DOD: 12/01/2005, San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas
Burial: Union Cemetery, Lockridge Township, Jefferson County, Iowa
====
San Angelo Standard Times, Page 2, 12/03/2005.
SAN ANGELO - Virginia Wright, 87, died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005 at her residence. Service will be Sunday in Union Cemetery in Fairfield, Iowa. Arrangements are by Starke Funeral Home.
Survivors include daughter, Karen Brokken, of San Angelo.
====
The Des Moines Register, Page 168, 12/03/2005.
VIRGINIA GALBREATH WRIGHT
San Angelo, Texas
Virginia Galbreath Wright, 87, of San Angelo, TX, formally of Des Moines, died peacefully in her sleep of natural causes in the home of her daughter, Karen Brokken.
Virginia graduated from the University of Kansas with a B. S. in nursing and a masters degree in public health nursing. She was a long time Des Moines school nurse and served as Supervisor of School Health Services for the D.M.I.S.D. During WWII, Virginia, a 1st Lt., served as an army nurse. She is also a past President of the Iowa Nurses Association.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, W. W. and Eva Maud French; sister, Mary Calhoun, Willa Graham and Thelma Kappelman; and granddaughter, Beth Marie Brokken.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Tom Brokken of San Angelo, TX; grandson and his wife, Ray and Leslie Brokken; and greatgrandchildren, Tarjei and Kirstyn Brokken of Cypress, TX.
Following cremation by the Starks Funeral Home in San Angelo, TX, a funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday afternoon in the New Sweden United Methodist Church (3mi. North of Lockridge, IA) under the loving care and guidance of Rev. Dianna Brokken. Internment will follow at Union Cemetery in rural Jefferson County.
[D.M.I.S.D., Des Moines Independents School District.]
[Karen Elaine Galbreath Brokken, Thomas "Tom" Dean Brokken.]
[Leslie Caroline Highsmith Brokken, Ray Trenton Brokken.]
====
Tulsa Herald All Church Press, Page 13, 06/15/1945.
M/S/ and Mrs. Neal Galbreath are rejoicing in the birth of Karen Elaine. Mrs. Galbreath is with her parents at Harrisonville, Mo. Neal is a brother of Mrs. Walter LaFon.
[Edith Muriel Galbreath LaFon, Walter Virie LaFon.]
[I think "M/S" is Master Sargent.]
[Karen Elaine Galbreath Brokken was born 06/09/1945, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri.]
[Two twins babies died in 1943, according to family history before Karen's birth.]
====
The Star Journal, Page 1, 06/19/1945.
MISS MARY FRENCH RETURNS FROM VISIT
Miss Mary French returned early Monday from a week's visit in Des Moines, Ia., with her sister, Mrs. George Kappelman, and Mr. Kappelman. She was accompanied by her niece, Georgina Graham, who remained for a visit with her aunt. Mrs. Kappelman is the former Thelma French. Mr. Kappelman, a graduate of the College here, is now on an inactive status with the navy, after having taught in a yeoman school. He has returned to his former position is a teacher in Des Moines.
Miss French has learned of the birth of a daughter to another sister, Mrs. Neal Galbreath and Master Sgt. Galbreath. The baby was born in Research Hospital in Kansas City. Sgt. Galbreath is stationed in Alabama.
====
Urich Herald Montrose Tidings, Page 4, 01/13/1961.
Miss Karen Galbreath has returned to her home in Des Moines, Ia., after spending the holidays in the home of Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Calhoun. On Christmas Day Miss Galbreath, her mother, Mrs. Virginia Galbreath, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. French of Harrisonville and Mr. and Mrs. George Kappelman of Des Moines were dinner guests in the Calhoun home.
====
[The fourth daughter of Walter William French and Eva Maude "Maud" Bradbury French was Virginia Pearl French. She was born on September 2, 1918, on the farm half-way between Archie and Harrisonville, Missouri.]
[Mary Elizabeth French Calhoun, 01/17/1908, Archie, Cass County, Missouri.]
[Thelma Talitha French Kappelman, 07/05/1911, Archie, Cass County, Missouri.]
[Willa Lee French Graham, 10/26/1914, Archie, Cass County, Missouri.]
[Virginia Pearl French Galbreath Wright, 09/02/1918, Archie, Cass County, Missouri]
[Divorced 01/1946, Willard Neal Galbreath.]
[Willard Neal Galbreath married Evelyn Edith Sarah Crosby, 12/03/1951.]
[Divorced 1986, Wayne K. Wright.]
[2nd Lt Us Army World War II.]
====
Virginia Pearl, coming of age just after the depression, left home to attend high school in Harrisonville. She then attended college, earning her B.S. degree in nursing. Nurses were needed in the military at that time because of the growing threat of war so Virginia enlisted in the Army. While in the Army, Virginia married Neal Galbreath, also an officer. When she became pregnant with twins, she had to leave military service. Tragically, she and Neal lost the babies. She returned to the farm as he was being transferred to different military bases, American involvement in WWII in full swing. After the war, Virgina and Neal had a daughter Karen (DOB: 06/09/1945) but the marriage did not survive long. Virginia was deserted by Neal and was left to raise her daughter alone, a more uncommon challenge in 1945 than today, and one which Virginia handled admirably. In 1949, Virginia and Karen moved to Des Moines, Iowa to settle near Thelma who offered to be of help. There, Virginia achieved success in her career, becoming the head nurse of the Des Moines school system and the president of the Iowa Nurses Association. In her fifties, Virgina had a second marriage to Wayne K. Wright. Virgina eventually divorced and moved to live with her daughter in Texas.
====
The only child of Virginia and Neal Galbreath, Karen was born after her parents met in the Army during WWII. The marriage lasted only about three years after which Neal left the family. Karen grew up in Des Moines, Iowa having a close relationship with her mother and Aunt Thelma. After attending Iowa State University with an interest in design, Karen married Tom Brokken and moved to Illinois. The couple had two children, Ray and Beth and moved to Texas where they ran a cemetery (Palm Valley Crematorium in Pharr, TX, d/b/a Magic Valley Memorial Gardens).
Beth had been born with hydrocephalus and a serios neural tube defect. Although she was seriously impaired physically by these birth defects, it did not affect her spirit or her intelligence. She required repeated surgeries and spent her life in a wheelchair. Such serious medical problems demanded huge resources from Karen and the family. Beth Marie Brokken died 08/16/1992 and was born in Rockford, Ill.
Beth Marie Brokken was a 1988 graduate of Edinburg High School. She attended the University of Texas Pan American and Midland College after moving to Midland in 1990. She was 22 years old when she died.
Ray Trenton Brokken an easy going, athletic man, enjoyed football as a teen and later married Leslie Caroline Highsmith Brokken and had two children, Tarjei Brokken (1990) and Kirstyn Caroline Brokken Hughes (1992).
The entire family including Karen's mother Virginia Pearl French Galbreath Wright lived in San Angelo, Texas.
====
1920 Everett, Cass, Missouri.
1930 Everett, Cass, Missouri.
1940 Kansas City, Wyandotte, Kansas, Student Nurse.
1949 Des Moines, Polk, Iowa, 1306 21st St., 629 3rd St. Public School Nurse, SS 478-34-5153.
1950 Des Moines, Polk, Iowa, School Nurse, Public School, Divorced.
1986 Hidlago, Texas.
1993 Lubbock, Lubbock, Texas.
2005 San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas.
====
Brian D. Vaughn
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