Obituary of Donna M. Branch

Evelyn (Donna) Branch was born on December 20, 1914, to Burr T. and Mamie Nichols Barnes in Kimball, South Dakota. She was the oldest of ten children. Early on, the family moved to Wiota, Montana to farm acreage via a federal homestead grant. They survived the Great Depression while managing their farm. As an adult, she legally changed her name from Evelyn to Donna, in memory of her deceased sister, Donnabelle. She moved to California with her husband, Ardean, and they became owners of a successful nightclub in Half Moon Bay. Much later, after Ardean died, she married Wayne Branch, a nationally renowned horse owner/trainer, and they traveled between Washington, California and Arizona. Donna loved animals of all kinds, especially dogs, cats and horses. She regularly took in strays and nursed them to health. She used her love of horses to help Wayne train race horses. Donna was a flamboyant character who will be missed. Rest in Peace, Aunt Donna. A graveside service will be held on Thursday December 1, 2011 at 2 p.m. at Mt. View Cemetery, Auburn.