Marla Branstetter, was born in Lagrange, IN on November 8, 1956 to Dorothy A. Yoder (Shipe) and Amos T. Yoder. She spent her life as a loving mother and grandmother, gregarious and generous friend to all, and hard worker.

Growing up on a poultry farm and working as a CNA in high school gave Marla insight she carried into the rest of her life. She took care of both her husband and mother at her home until their death. Coming back to the states after living in Germany for a year she met and married Tim Smith, the father of her three children. After her divorce from Tim, Marla moved to Fort Wayne where she found her calling as a bartender. She won several contests and awards bartending and enjoyed the fast-pace, and many faces and friendships she made. In 1993, she married Robert Branstetter. Their love of life, family, friendships, laughter, and hard work made Marla and Bob a perfect match. Marla loved working to make their property beautiful. She planted amazing amounts of flowers, a large garden, and canned vegetables, salsa, applesauce, and mowed and mowed and mowed. Six months after Bob passed of cancer, her son Dustin died of complications from being paralyzed. As the trauma of these events set in, she relied on friends and family for comfort. Joyce Covell and Denise Bireley, Marla's dearest friends from her elementary and high school days, were always a source of laughter and comfort. Her love and friendship with Kevin Weible for so many years was also a source of strength, support, and happiness.

Unfortunately, Marla lost her youngest son Noah at the end of 2019, and although she experienced so much sadness, she found her most coveted and cheerful calling in being a mother, "Mama," and grandmother. Spending time with her daughter and grandchildren brought her a great amount of healing and joy. She was a calming, strong, and fun presence in their lives as well.

She is preceded in passing by her late husband, two sons, father, mother, and sister. Marla is survived in death by her brother Mike (Tara) Yoder; daughter Tia (Matt) Tackett; and her 3 grandchildren Noah (Ali Brita)Tackett, Destiny Smith, and Cora Tackett. Her laughter will survive long after us all.
A celebration of life for Marla Branstetter will be held at a later time and at her favorite location- her property lovingly gifted to her by her late-husband.