Barbara Kukuck Brandon, 89, of DeKalb, Illinois, fell asleep in Jesus to be seated at his table on April 6, 2025.
 
Barbara Ann Kukuck was born on February 19, 1936 to Margaret Sauer Kukuck and Francis Raymond Kukuck while they lived on the Kukuck Farm west of Kankakee, Illinois. As a little girl, she helped with the chores, cared for the chickens, and worked in the garden.
 
Barbara went to a local one room country school and attended Hersher High School, where among other things, she was a cheerleader. She then attended North Central College in pre-nursing for two years, where she was also a cheerleader. She then attended Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing for three years, obtaining her Bachelor of Nursing in 1958.
 
She married Stanley Dean Brandon, M. D., on June 21, 1959 (which was Father’s Day, her mother’s birthday, and the first day of summer).  She worked as a nursing instructor in the School of Nursing, but resigned in 1961 to become a full-time homemaker and mother.
 
Barbara and Stanley were married for 65 years, and together they lovingly raised their five children. Barbara was a dedicated grandmother to twenty-two grandchildren and twenty-five great grandchildren. Of her, Stanley writes, “We were blessed with a happy marriage, both professing in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. She was truly a Proverbs 31 wife.”

Barbara was a creative soul with many hobbies and passions. She enjoyed painting, pottery, knitting, and calligraphy. She also worked as a volunteer buyer for the auxiliary gift shop at Kishwaukee Community hospital for more than a decade. She especially loved hosting people in her home and giving gifts to others. She was a member of Kishwaukee Bible Church and then The Church in DeKalb.
 
She is preceded in death by her parents and survived by her husband Stanley, her brother Lynn, her five children: Susan (Frank) Roberts, Sally (Ken) Woodhouse, Steve (Yvonne) Brandon, Sonya (Jeff) Ristine, and Stuart (Joan) Brandon, her 22 grandchildren and her 25 great-grandchildren.
  
Psalm 91:2 is engraved on her tombstone. It reads, "I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust." The promise of Psalm 91:16 was true in her life, "With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."
 
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Anderson Funeral Home, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois 60115. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Anderson Funeral Home. A graveside service at Fairview Cemetery will follow the service. Barbara’s son Steve will be officiating.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.