Date of Birth: Monday, June 23rd, 1919
Date of Death: Tuesday, August 9th, 2011
Funeral Home: Parker Funeral Home & Crematory 10325 ParkGlenn Way, PARKER, Colorado, 80138
Obituary: Margaret (Brandhorst) Tipton

Information added by Dave Kusel:
Margaret Brandhorst was the daughter of William and Adda (Miskimins) Brandhorst. Her paternal grandparents were John and Caroline (Johansman) Brandhorst who moved into Manning in 1911 from a farm near Manning. Margaret had two brothers: Glenn and Ray. Margaret was born in Manning and graduated from Manning High School in 1937.

In Margaret’s own words March 29, 2011:
I grew up in a town within a farming community in Western Iowa. Although small, our schools were excellent. I played the piano from an early age on, at the Methodist Church, participated in district contests, and accompanied several singers. The depression hit our family hard. Mom was a saver and somehow was able to feed and clothe our family of five. My brothers were seven and eleven years older than I. My father passed away when I was 15.

I attended the University of Iowa for two years. My mother rented a house in town, so we lived there with four boys renting extra rooms. With my mother close by, I did not get to socialize much. After two years, I transferred to Iowa State University, graduating in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition. During two summers, I was a nanny for three little boys in Des Moines and accompanied them to their lake-front vacation home. I enjoyed the family and water, even though I could not swim.

World War II was upon us and so was the fever to marry as soon as possible. Lee Tipton, who was my college boyfriend, and I married in July, 1942. Then I had to give up a top Dietetic Internship, because the program did not allow interns to be married.

Lee was drafted and was sent to the South Pacific Theater, part of the 13th Jungle Air Force. While Lee was serving in the war, I joined some of my Iowa State professors at the Kaiser Ship Building Company in Portland, Oregon. The U.S. needed ships for the war, and with men away at service, Kaiser needed women to build the ships. Yet woman had responsibilities for their children, so Kaiser established day care centers for the children. I worked at the preschool in nutrition, under the guidance of a famed child nutritionist, Miriam Lowenberg. It was a wonderful experience working with the best known professional of day care centers.

After World War II ended, Lee came home, physically unscathed, and finished college at Iowa State University, with a degree in agricultural economics. He was immediately employed, managing the Sears Farm store.

We lived in Cedar Rapids, first in an old dilapidated house and second in a kit-house that Lee constructed. We were active in church with a large group of friendly young married couples, all trying to establish themselves.

Later, in 1953 a former Air Force friend of Lee’s, who was in the appliance business, asked Lee to join his company in Denver. At last - a steady job with a $600 per month salary!

On August 15th, we began our move from Iowa to Denver. We brought our three children and cat through the miserable heat and humidity of the Mid-West, and settled in Denver.

We moved from University Hills to Cherry Point in 1963, so the kids were closer to good schools. I would like to express my appreciation to the Denver Public Schools for the kids’ good education program.

The kids added:
Margaret was a Registered Dietitian and practiced her healthy habits with family dinners that were often appreciated. She was an early researcher for PKU, a deficiency in breaking down an amino acid that, when unchecked, caused brain damage. She created food products with alternate protein sources for those who suffered from PKU.

Margaret and Lee were Grace church members since 1954. She was active in United Methodist Women and taught Sunday School. Margaret was also a proud member of PEO and cherishes their friendships. Cherry Point Garden Club was also a wonderful experience for her and she hoped the traditions and interest of other members can continue for many years to come.

We (Bob, Julie, and Lynne) are blessed to have Margaret as our Mom and friend. She will be greatly missed. We think of her as dancing in Heaven with Daddy.

Margaret’s legacy remains as a Lovely Lady.

Thanks to all of you for remembering Margaret and for your prayers, presence, thoughts, and deeds to support our family.

Margaret is the widow of Lee George Tipton. She is survived by son Bob (Cecilia) Tipton and daughters Julie Tipton and Lynne (Jim) Gieges; grandchildren Robin (Rich) Proctor, Jon (Christy) Crowe, Shelley (Amen) Irish-Smith, and Alan Crowe; and great-grandchildren Sarah Proctor, Thomas Crowe, and Michael Crowe; brother-in-law Herb Hendriks, Sr.; nephews David Brandhorst, Dennis Brandhorst, and Herb Hendriks, Jr.; and many dear friends.