Frances Jean Bordner Braley died at home on September 7, 2015. She was born May 1, 1921 in Independence, Iowa to Robert Immanuel and Frances Comfort Bordner.

In 1939, she graduated from Hudson High School, and as "Frankie" attended the University of Iowa where she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority.

She married F.M. "Red" Braley on April 14, 1946. They moved to Shenandoah where Red was a pharmacist at Jay's Drug Store and Jean worked as Society Editor for the Shenandoah Evening Sentinel.

Nature was Jean's passion. She was an avid "birder" which resulted in finding a retreat in a cabin above Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, participating in a bird census in China, and recently taking daily trips with Ana Ruiz to Rapp Park. Her thirst for knowledge led her on many travels and adventures and the lessons learned she passed on to her family and friends. She was comfortable both at social occasions and in the rugged outdoors without conveniences.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother Robert I. Bordner, her brothers and sisters-in-law Charles Braley, Peggy Braley, Betty and Elvis Lee, Robert and Martha Braley and niece Bonnye Lee Bramble and great niece Anne Kathryn Barker.

She is survived by her sister-in-law Jean Bordner of Clarinda, IA; niece Mary Kathryn Barker (Ron) of West Des Moines, IA and their son Brett Barker (Shannon) and his daughters Gianna and Alessandra of Springfield, IL, their daughter Erin Buchan (Keola-Nui) and her daughter Keikiokalani of McKinleyville, CA, nephew Robert Bordner (Lilibeth) and their sons Robert and James of Winslow, AZ.

Also survived by Red's family: brother Eldon Braley of Omaha, NE; niece Nancy Braley Hogya (Jerry) of Omaha, NE, nephew James Braley and family of Omaha, NE, nephew Robert Lee (Joyce) and family of Dubuque, IA, nephew Bruce Lee and family of Omaha, NE, niece Barbara Ellen Lee Kelley (Pete) and family of Iowa City, IA, niece Lynn Braley Miller and nephew Russell Braley.

Also survived by her Costa Rican daughter Lidice Bermudez and her daughter Pilar Medina (Carlos) and children Daniel, Gabriela and Andres, and her son Alonso Gonzalez (Jennifer) and his sons Max, Noah, and Spencer, and her Costa Rican son Elgin Bermudez (Any) and his sons Christian and Pacho and his daughter Adriana

Also survived by her caregiver Ana Ruiz, fellow Sneegagers, PEO sisters, members of the First Presbyterian Church, Book Club, American Legion Country Club and neighbors and friends in Shenandoah and Arizona.

From her proofreading days at the Sentinel she saw no "fun" in funeral (funeral was inadvertently hyphenated between fun and eral); she consequently requested NO funeral.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church of Shenandoah, IA, Heifer International, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation or simply do something nice in her name for someone in need. Pass on her generosity and love of nature, learning and teaching.