- Date Of Birth: April 19, 1936
- Date Of Death: July 28, 2021
- State: Iowa
Kay Ginsberg Braverman, 85, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2021, at MercyOne Hospital after a long and hard-fought illness. She was born April 19, 1936, in Kansas City, Mo., and raised in Des Moines. She was the daughter of Louis and Rae Ginsberg.
Kay graduated from Roosevelt High School and attended the University of Iowa, where she was president of Sigma Delta Tau sorority. She left school to marry Marvin Braverman, a reporter for the Des Moines Register and Tribune, in 1958. After raising three children, she returned to school and earned a B.A. degree cum laude from Drake University. She worked for West Des Moines and Johnston schools, KRNT, Broadlawns Medical Center, and Drake University’s Department of Pharmacy and Health Sciences nursing program.
Kay was active in supporting her children’s activities and the Jewish community. Her involvement included Camp Fire Girls, Girl Scouts, Brownies, PTA, and Little League, and she taught Sunday School. She was Secretary of the Jewish Historical Society, and an active member of Temple B’nai Jeshurun, including Sisterhood and as co-chair with Marvin of the Temple’s Jewish Food Fair.
Kay was an avid reader (often reading well into the night), public tv mystery series fan, enjoyed Mah-Jongg and Canasta, and had a passion for the politics of the day. She loved a good steak and a glass of wine. She was known for making the best beef brisket, matzah ball soup, and cheese ball.
A cherished and devoted wife, mother, and Nana, Kay would be quick to say her greatest accomplishment and joy in life was her family, whom she loved and always supported beyond all measure. That love — and deep respect — was reciprocated not only by her family but also by her friends and peers.
Kay was a faithful and caring friend to many. She was selfless, intelligent, intuitive, independent, and fiercely loyal. Throughout her life, she never wanted the focus to be on herself. Kay always loved doing for others. She took the time to truly listen and her advice was a huge comfort to all who were lucky enough to receive it.
Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Marvin; two daughters, Linda Tyler (Warren) and Rachele Hjelmaas (Joel); a son, Michael Braverman (Deb); and seven grandchildren, Ben Hjelmaas (Marika), Jacob Hjelmaas (Hannah), Alex Hjelmaas (Claire), Josh Hjelmaas (Lydia), Moses Tyler (Jessica), Ann Braverman (Matt), and Sarah Braverman.
