A white veil of deep sadness has covered the
OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY FAMILY.
Four chairs are now empty and four beautiful
people have walked on to heaven.
My son and I always call each other when there
is breaking news. When I woke up today, I saw my
phone had a message. It was my devoted OSU
COWBOY FAN and handsome son (with that baritone
voice) asking me, if I had heard....
I, as I know every one else thought , "not again!"
It has just been 10 years ago, when we lost 10 of the
OSU'S Mens Team......
but this time...
It was our coaches of the OSU'S Womens' Team.
Two beautiful lovebirds and pilots,
former Senator Olin Branstetter and his wife Paula.
They met in the 1950's at OSU.
A couple of great FAITH, they often flew
Mercy Misson's for people with cancer that needed
to be flown to other hospitals.
Although they were both pilots, Olin was flying and the
crash occured in Perry County, Arkansas, on a recruiting
trip Thursday night.
The Winona Wildlife Management Area is in steep
terrain in the eastern Ouachita Mountains.
On board was Kurte Budke, a Salina, Kansas native,
the most loving of husbands, a doting father of 3 beautiful
children, including a daughter who is a student at OSU,
A MAN OF GREAT FAITH,
AND
THE OSU WOMENS' BASKETBALL TEAM.
He was a charismatic coach who could be easily spotted
in his bright orange blazer at any game.
HE LOVED OSU AND HIS BASKETBALL GIRLS.
He taught them....
1. FAITH
2. EDUCATION
3. BASKETBALL
...ALL IN THAT ORDER.
COACH MIRANDA SERNA, was his recruiting
coordinator.
She was a native of Guadalupita, N.M., and the
first in her family to go to college.
She played for Kurt Budke.
She was a rising star.
FOUR EMPTY CHAIRS.
FOUR BEAUTIFUL, KIND SOULS
WILL BE FOREVER REMEMBERED
GOD NEEDED THEM MORE THAN US.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE
BRANSTETTER FAMILY,
KURT BUDKE FAMILY
AND
THE MIRANDA SERNA FAMILY.
May you feel the love and peace of God.
May you not remember this horrible event
but instead, the loving memories of your precious
family member.
I heard a quote the other day, but I don't remember
the author....
FIND YOUR JOY
AND IT WILL
PUSH YOUR
PAIN OUT.
THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH
AND HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE
US. HE IS RIGHT THERE WITH YOU.
THE SHORTEST SCRIPTURE IN THE BIBLE,
"JESUS WEPT!"
ONE MUST GRIEVE TO GET BACK TO THE
GIFT OF LIFE...THAT QUOTE IS BY ME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND I PRAY
PROTECTION FOR OSU COWBOY FOOTBALL
TEAM AS THEY TRAVEL TO IOWA FOR A GAME
TONIGHT.
p.s........I have forgotten the sight from where I obtained this picture...if you
notify me I will be so happy to credit you.
