Tragedy reveals blessings for Clear Lake family

(Above) The Branstad family pictured celebrating on Jill’s birthday on Oct. 16, 2020, in the home that burned on N. 8th St.  On the floor is Zeke Branstad with his dog, Ace.  On the sofa (L-R): Jill’s parents, Fanny and Martin Hansen, Bob and Jill, Raelyn Branstad (granddaughter), Jake and Marlie Branstad, Jade Loux.  Back row (L-R): Kara Branstad, Jacob Pedelty, Taylor Bell, Ike Branstad, Keely Branstad with her cat, Freya, and Kirstyn Branstad.  -Submitted photo

by Michelle Watson

Sometimes it’s the tragedies of life that show us our true blessings.  Bob and Jill Branstad and their family of six children saw that first hand when their home was destroyed by fire on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020.

“We have been surprised, overwhelmed, and humbled by the love of so many family members, friends, co-workers, church family near and far, and even strangers,” said Jill.  “God has shown Himself to us in beautiful items that survived the fire and by how quickly our needs were provided for.” 

Bob, Jill and their youngest daughter, Kirstyn, were the only ones living in the home at the time of the fire.  The remainder of the children were either living on their own or at college.  

November 10 was a very cold day with freezing rain.  Power surges were occurring around town that day, which appears to have ignited a power strip in the family room.  

Bob, who is the operations manager at Serta Simmons Bedding, and Jill, who is a paraprofessional at Clear Creek Elementary, were at work when the fire occurred.  Kirstyn, who is home schooled, was at home, but had left to go to the post office with her grandparents. When she returned, all of the smoke detectors in the home were going off and the curtains in the northwest corner of the house were ablaze.  Kirstyn called Bob, who was at the house in 90 seconds.  The fire department was there soon after.  

The majority of the Branstad’s belongings and their home were destroyed.

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“We were overwhelmed by the support we got right away,” said Jill.  “The firemen were so compassionate and said how sorry they were for our loss.”

Before the fire was even extinguished, Jill’s parents, Fanny and Martin Hansen, invited them to live with them.  

“When we met with the insurance adjustor I couldn’t eat, I was just sick,” said Jill.  “I hit my knees and prayed and I knew God would take care of us.”

Jill, who is also the pastor at Community Church of Christ, was very saddened by the thought that she’d lost her favorite Bible and scripture journal. However, on a walk through the house, the Bible and journal were found with very little damage.

“When I saw them a sense of peace washed over me and I was reassured everything was going to be okay,” said Jill.

In addition to the Bible and journal, Jill’s confirmation Bible and wedding dress were found unharmed in a cedar closet.  Other important items that were salvaged included Jill and Bob’s bedroom set and the large dining room table and chairs that held special meaning for the family.

The rest of the children came home on Friday to help with clean-up and inventory.  It was while cleaning up the yard that the Branstad’s oldest son, Jake, found a scrap of paper that was charred around the edges, but that held a special message written in Jill’s handwriting, “God is good, God is good to me, God is good at being God and today is just another day of our love story.”

The family lived with Fanny and Martin for two-weeks before they found a home to rent on Main Avenue just in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The home is used as a summer rental and was fully furnished.

“That house was definitely a blessing,” said Jill.  “We didn’t know it at the time, but it is owned by the principal at my school.”

“The rental house was very comforting to us.  It had the same countertops and flooring as our house.  Even the same epoxy finish on the basement floor,” said Bob.

The Sunday before the family moved into the rental, Jill did a sermon on the Bible verse, Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord.  “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  In the cupboard of the rental home among all white dishes, was one printed mug with the Jeremiah 29:11 verse printed on it.

“That mug was another reminder to us that God had everything in his control,” said Jill.

Jill and Bob began to search for a new home on Zillow.  They found a home that was for sale by owner and everything fell into place and they closed on the home three-months after the fire.  During a blizzard they moved into their new home at 1510 N. 23rd St.  

“It didn’t really matter that we moved during a blizzard, because we had very little to move,” laughed Jill.

Bob and Jill have spent a lot of time shopping for items for their new home.

“You don’t realize all the things you need to replace,” said Bob. “Inventory for a family of eight takes a lot of time to collect.  We realized we had a lot of stuff we really didn’t need.”

The Branstads are a musical family and owned instruments that were lost in the fire.

“My favorite six string guitar was ruined in the fire, but one day a friend showed up at the door with a new six string guitar, because she knew how important music is to me,” said Jill.  “I wasn’t even thinking of replacing that for a while, but it sure was nice to have.”

The Branstad family admits that although the fire was an experience they never want to repeat, many blessings did come from it.

“From the very beginning, we stood firm in our belief that God would help us through this and He did.  We’ve watched in utter amazement at God’s loving care of our family,” said Jill.

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