Barbara Braman Bentson

Age 88 of St. Paul Preceded in death by parents, Fernand and Cora Baer, brother Fernand Baer Jr. (Tony), first husband, Edwin Charles Braman, and second husband, Nathan Lawrence (Larry) Bentson. Graduate of Summit School and Briar Cliff College. Married for 54 years to Edwin Charles Braman who nurtured Barbara's interest in creating her own business, Fernanda Designs which began in 1961 with her rendition of American Folk Art birth and wedding certificates that were sold throughout the United States, from Disney World to the Chicago Art Institute. Many products followed, most notably her decorative telephone book covers created with museum quality prints. Her goal was to provide excellent, rare prints in a contemporary way to the masses. Barbara's factory was her basement and her foreman was her husband Eddie who would do the "heavy lifting" after his own day at the office. Fernanda Designs lasted for 43 successful years. Inspired by her love of the Twin Cities, especially her hometown of St. Paul, where generations of her family have happily resided, Barbara took on a variety of community commitments and contributed in many ways. She was a founder of the Minneapolis Institute of Art's Decorative Arts Council and the MIA Antiques Show which ran for over 20 years. Barbara presented many programs at the New Century Club. She represented the St. Paul Garden Club at the Philadelphia Flower Show in the miniature competition where she placed "Best of Show" in the herbal category. One of her favorite projects was the construction of a community pensive garden at Mt. Zion Cemetery in memory of both Barbara's and Larry Bentson's families. Barbara's marriage to Larry Bentson combined her rekindled love of miniatures with his devotion for the University of Minnesota. Barbara oversaw the rebuilding and restoration of the Eastcliff Dollhouse gathering some of the area's most talented miniaturists. This dollhouse showed precisely how the donors of Eastcliff to the University (the Edward Brooks family) lived in 1942 from the exquisite accessories right down to their two dogs, Rusty and Weenie. Through these various endeavors, Barbara made many dear friends along the way.