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Brandtner -- Mercedes Nava Brandtner, 100, a resident of Albuquerque, died Saturday, December 15, 2001. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Ference Lajos (Louis) Brandtner and their grandson, Bruce Gilmer; by her sister, Catherine Nava de Shaver and their three brothers, Adalberto, Felix and Enrique Nava. Mrs. Brandtner was born September 24, 1901 in Cuidad Guerrero, Chihuahua, Mexico and was married to Lajos (Louis) Brandtner on April 28, 1931 in Old Mesilla near Las Cruces, NM. She and her husband lived in Bayard, NM, in Grant County for nearly 50 years. Together they ran a general merchandise store and later a liquor store for more than forty years until they moved to Albuquerque in the 1980's. Mercedes de Nava was a ninth generation descendant of the first Spanish settlers of New Mexico (Los Primeros Pobladores) who came north from Mexico City with Capt. Gen. Juan de Onate to colonize New Mexico in 1598. She herself was a pioneer, having arrived in El Paso, TX in a horse- drawn covered wagon in 1910. The family returned to their home only to flee for their lives again in 1917. They came to New Mexico, home of their ancestors, this time to stay. Mrs. Brandtner is survived by one son, Luis Brandtner y Nava of Santa Fe, and by four daughters, Irene Brandtner de Martinez of Santa Fe, Kathleen Brandtner- Smith, Mitzi Brandtner- Wencewicz, and Marti Brandtner, all of Albuquerque. She is also survived by her nephew, John Shaver y Nava of Albuquerque, and her sister-in- law, Iren Brandtner-Bertelli and her family of Marseille, France; son-in-law, Raul E. Martinez, Charles Edgar Smith and Don Wencewicz. Nine surviving grandchildren are: Mark L.B. Martinez of Santa Fe, Xanat Martinez-Martin of Phoenix, AZ, Brad Gilmer, Tracey Gilmer-Padilla, both of Albuquerque, Shannon Powell-Sandoval of Placitas and Chad King of Albuquerque, Melani Cigler-Tonevich of Indiana, Deanna Cigler of California and Joe A. Cigler of Indiana, and two step-grandchildren, Charles Smith and Jean Smith Dyke. Spouses of grandchildren are Michael Martin, Joe Padilla, Albert Sandoval and Mark Tonevich. Mrs. Brandtner is also survived by fourteen great-grandchildren, Leanna Bailey, Jessica Morris, Adam Sandoval, Ben Sandoval, Cira Sandoval, Matthew Martinez-Wurstser, Mark Tonevich, Lauren Tonevich, Michael Tonevich, Ryannon Padilla, Savanna Padilla and Dylan Padilla, Amy Dyke and Stephanie Dyke. Our mother will be remembered for her indomitable spirit and as an unfaltering figure of health and stamina well into her 90s. She traded personal achievement and recognition for her family and exhibited great devotion to her children. She will be forever remembered for her love of family, poetry and learning. Services will be held Wednesday, December 19, 2001, at 1:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, Wyoming Blvd. Chapel, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Mausoleum. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 19, 2001, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the church or charity of your choice. French Mortuary, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE
        Published on: Tue December 18, 2001