Obituary for Mary “Pat” Branch

Mary Patricia Branch

January 21, 1949 – June 24, 2021

Mary Patricia (Pat) Kekahbah Branch went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 24th, 2021.

She was born January 21, 1949, in Ponca City, OK the oldest of 3 children born to Mary Belle Auld Kekahbah & Joe Kekahbah. She attended grade school in Washunga, OK and graduated high school in Broken Arrow, OK. She attended Oklahoma State University (OSU) and was an avid Cowboys fan.

In 1970 she married her soulmate, Keith Leroy Branch, and they were married until his passing in 2005. They made their home in Newkirk, OK where they raised their family. Their first son was born in 1971, Brian Keith and in 1974 they completed their family with the birth of Mark Paul.

When her boys were young, she was very active in all their activities, including the Newkirk Takedown Club and Newkirk youth programs. She was recently awarded a lifetime achievement award from the Takedown Club.

She worked parttime and always took her summers off to spend with her boys, not wanting to miss any part of their growing up. Working at Eastman National Bank, Albrights Title & Trust, Kaw Housing Authority, and others. Many lifelong friends were made during those years.

Pat was a very proud member of the Kaw tribe and served the tribe for many years in various capacities, including sitting on the Kaw Nation Executive Council for 5 years.

One of her favorite things to do was camping and boating on Kaw lake and she shared those experiences with so many families and friends. As a young mom, Pat was a very skilled water skier and passed that knowledge down to so many kids and adults. Being pulled out of the water by Keith while Pat was bobbing in the water became a common theme to anyone associated with Branch family camping trips. In her later years, after Keith had passed, she loved being a part of Brian, Mary, and Jana’s lake time.

Pat was a proud and prominent wrestling mom and carried a passion developed by cheering on Brian and Mark from the stands at Oklahoma State and the University of Wyoming. Fans around Oklahoma and around the country became familiar with the presence and passion Pat brought to so many wrestling events. She will always be remembered for the well-known yell of “Get your head off the mat”!

She was a very loving grandmother to her 4 grandchildren and loved doing projects with them as well as developing their creativity and imagination. “Grams” was always keeping the grandkids busy during gatherings and holidays and loved many traditions like baking Jesus a birthday cake on Christmas Eve. Although she only had 4 grandchildren, there are dozens that could attest that she played the role of “Grams” to so many kids once her children were grown. Whether it was nieces, nephews, her friends’ kids, kids running around the campground, or kids on a trail ride, Pat had an affinity to kids and took them under her wing and she had a special place in her heart for so many children.

She is survived by son, Brian Keith Branch and Wife Mary and daughters Jana Bo and Tara Owens & Husband Matt Bristow, Great grandson, Dylan Sadler, son Mark Paul Branch and daughter Maggie Belle and son Mason Layne, Father Paul & Stepmother Gwen Gilliam, and brother Richard Kekahbah. Also, numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Keith, mother Mary Belle, Father Joe Kekahbah, brother Billy Kekahbah.

We may never know why they died, but we will always know why they lived.

A memorial service will be held on August 21st at Wildwood Wedding & Event Center, 6400 W. Dry Rd., Newkirk, OK at 3:00pm.

Source: Trout Funeral Home