Margaret Kathryn Brandes, age 89, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus Christ on April 8, 2021 at her home in Austin, surrounded by her family. Kathryn was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Kathryn was welcomed into the world on February 10, 1932 in Houston, Texas to parents Paul and Annie Margaret Wilbarger Chew and brother George Paul. When Kathryn was 12 years old her family moved to the “Ranch” on Chew Road which later became Brazos Country. Kathryn graduated from Sealy High School and attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College in San Marcos. She later attended business school in Houston where she lived and worked. Kathryn married the love of her life, Owen Brandes, on June 10, 1952, at the Methodist Church in Sealy. They chose to raise their family on a farm outside of Sealy where she was an avid gardener and homemaker. After the sudden loss of Owen in 1979, she returned to the workforce. Kathryn was employed with Austin County for 10 years, retiring in 1992. She relocated to Austin, Texas to be near family. Kathryn loved spoiling her grandchildren in “Nannie’s Daycare.” With great pride she attended all her grandchildren’s events from baseball games, dance recitals, to swim meets. Kathryn spent many happy and joyful days at her lake home in Kingsland, Texas. She loved the outdoors, swimming, boating, and water skiing into her 70’s.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, husband Owen, and infant son Michael Owen.

She is survived by her brother George Paul Chew, sister-in-law Biddy McIntyre, her children Paula and Ruben Castillo, Sandra and Leo Aguirre, Becky Brandes, James and Lori Brandes. Her grandchildren Jennifer Castillo, Trey and Samantha Struhall, Kaylee Struhall and fiancé Ty Egbert, Leo and Erin Aguirre, Bradley and Rachel Brandes, Madison Brandes, great-grandson LJ Aguirre, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to thank Heavenly Care and Kindred Hospice for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kindred At Home Foundation or the Seton Fund.

Graveside services at Pilgrims Rest Cemetery in Bellville, Texas are planned for Friday, April 23rd at 1:00 p.m.