PATRICIA ANN ALFORD GRANBERG

AAFA #1228

1932–2007

 

 

AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Austin, Travis Co., TX—Sunday, 6 May 2007

 

            David William Granberg and Patricia Ann Granberg were taken by the Lord on May 2, 2007, at the age of 82 and 75. They just celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary October 30th.

            Patricia was born January 16, 1932, in Jackson, Mississippi. She was a devoted member of the Texas Cattlewomen, Hill Country Cattlewomen and Trinity Lutheran Church. She was also a faithful volunteer at Gem of the Hills Senior Center, Blanco Volunteer Fire Department, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Keep Blanco Beautiful and Blanco Community Learning Center.

            David was born February 13, 1925, in San Antonio, Texas. He moved to Blanco after World War II and began ranching. After the market for mohair went below 15 cents, David decided to open Granberg Fertilizer.

            The fertilizer business was truly a family affair where he, Patricia and their sons worked. David worked every day of his life and expected everyone around him to do the same. His day started at 4:00 a.m. when he called life-long friends to check the markets and the weather.

            David and Patricia had a great love for their family and friends, and loved to entertain at the ranch they called home for over 50 years. In their leisure time they traveled the world with various friends. They are survived by their children Bob and Cyndy Hounsell, Paul and Lisa Granberg, Connie Granberg and Henry Knox, Theresa and Ed Mallett, Severn and Pam Granberg; and eight grandchildren.

            A memorial service will be held at the Granberg Ranch, Sunday, May 6, 2007, at 6:30 p.m., where everyone can enjoy the land that they loved. From the light in Blanco take FM 1623 West. Turn left on RR 1888. Turn left on CR 104 (Crabapple Road). Go 3.7 miles to Granberg Ranch gate on the right. Signs will direct you.

            The family asked that in lieu of flowers, a donation to the New Hope Lutheran Church, PO Box 1377, Blanco, TX 78606; and Hill Country Cattlewomen Scholarship Fund, Attn: Tina Loeffler, 2305 Deer Trail, Lampasas, TX 76550 be made in their memory.

 

In another article:

 

SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX—Sunday Saturday, 5 May 2007

 

            After 57 years side by side in marriage and business, it was fitting—but no less tragic— that death claimed Pat and David Granberg together.

            Flooding swept the couple off the entrance road to their Kendalia ranch late Wednesday and their bodies were discovered Thursday afternoon downstream on the West Crabapple Creek.

            “When I heard a couple drowned on Crabapple Road, the first people I thought of was them, because they were together a whole lot,” family friend and Kendall County Commissioner Darrel Lux said Friday.

            Authorities said David Granberg, 82, apparently helped Pat, 75, from her Chevrolet Tahoe when the creek pushed the SUV off the crossing as she arrived home from church at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.

            Connie Granberg wasn’t surprised her “fiercely independent” dad didn’t summon authorities or impose on neighbors for help when the normally dry creek overflowed on the ranch her father had owned since 1941.

            “It was just a freak accident,” she said, speculating that a wall of water hit her parents as they waded from the vehicle.

            A memorial service is set for sundown Sunday at “the Howling Place,” a hill at their ranch at 634 W. Crabapple Road, where they raised five children, plus goats and cattle.

            Besides tending livestock, the couple kept busy at Granberg Fertilizer Sales in Blanco, a firm they ran with sons Severn and Paul, who is also a Blanco County commissioner.

            “They worked together every day,” said Paul Granberg, a Blanco County commissioner.

            Pat Granberg was active in the Texas Cattlewomen Association, where “her loss has hit very hard,” said Tina Loeffler, a fellow member from Lampasas.

            Lux, a lifelong friend, said Pat Granberg was “a perfect lady” and said David was outgoing— to the point of rousing chums with pre-dawn phone calls—particularly if it had rained.

            “If he was late, he’d call about 6 a.m.,” Lux said. “He was in the fertilizer business and so rain was good for his customers, and so he always wanted rain.

            “I always thought of him when it rained and now I’ll think of him even more,” he said.

 

AAFA NOTES: SSDI records confirm the birth and death dates of Patricia Ann Granberg (SS# issued in TX), last residence Blanco, Blanco Co., TX.

            We published the obituary of her brother Julius Anderson “Jake” Alford Jr., AAFA #0717, in AAFA ACTION, Spring 1999, In Remembrances.

            For more information on this family, see AAFA’s published genealogies, Known Descendants of Julius Alford (1717–1771), Three Generations and Jacob Alford about 1781 NC (5 Generations).

            Her lineage: Patricia Ann 1932 MS¹, Julius Anderson 1903 MS², Harvey Warren 1865 MS³, Jacob A. 1835 AL⁴, Julius 1803 NC⁵, Jacob 1781 NC⁶, John 1747 NC⁷, Julius 1717 VA⁸, James 1687 VA⁹, John 1645 VA¹⁰.