Cynthia Marie Brannan

Cynthia Marie Brannan (Schafer)

3/15/1954 – 9/17/2023

Cynthia “Cindy” Marie Brannan, 69, passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2023, in Tacoma, Washington after a lengthy battle with ALS.

Cindy, the second oldest of four children, was born to Leo and Luella (Couture) Schafer on March 15, 1954, in Devils Lake, ND.  She grew up in Devils Lake, ND and attended St. Mary’s High School graduating with the class of 1972. In her youth, she participated and won awards in 4-H (sewing) and track, she also played basketball and was a member of the H.S. pom-pom squad.

Cindy was united in marriage to James D. Brannan on December 29, 1973, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Devils Lake.  After a few years in Fargo, they established their home in Fort Collins, Colorado where they raised their two children, Jennifer and Douglas.  Cindy worked in the banking industry for nearly 40 years, retiring from Wells Fargo in 2020. Following their divorce in 2004, she spent a few years adoring her new grandkids in Fort Collins before moving to Fargo, North Dakota to spend time with her mother Luella, then to Fox Island, Washington to share time with her daughter Jennifer and family, and to Devils Lake, North Dakota to be close to her siblings, nieces, and nephews.

She enjoyed creating beautiful quilts and hand-crafting elaborate Halloween costumes for her grandkids. She loved reading, camping, swimming, and going on scenic adventures to the coast and mountains, as well as family vacations to her mother’s lake lot on Devils Lake, sitting by campfires and visiting family members and friends around the country. 

Cindy is survived by her children Jennifer (John) Caplinger, Fox Island, Washington, Doug (Carmen) Brannan, Kalispell, Montana; four grandchildren Anna and John Caplinger and Caleb and Rachel Brannan; brothers and sister Randy (Conni) Schafer, Mandan, ND, Mark Schafer, and Jeanne (Rick) Reardon both of Devils Lake, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Leo and Luella Schafer.

There will be a gathering of family and friends at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday, October 1, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 pm. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 6:00 p.m. led by Reverend Mr. Ken Severinson, Deacon. Mass of Christian Burial for Cindy will be held on Monday, October 2, 2023 at 10 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Anthony Cruz celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery followed by lunch at St. Joseph’s Parish Center.