Dodge City - Vesta Palmer Brant, 99, died March 2, 2012 at Presbyterian Manor of the Plains in Dodge City. She was born on August 31, 1912 in Winfield, the daughter of Otto M. and Bessie E. Brashear. After graduating from high school, she went to William Newton Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Winfield where she became a registered nurse. She worked as a RN at Winfield then at St. Anthony Hospital of Dodge City where she taught student nursing. Vesta then worked at Trinity Hospital of Dodge City where she became director of nursing and retired in 1974.

Vesta married Floyd T. Palmer on December 8, 1933 in Newkirk, Oklahoma. He preceded her in death on February 21, 1971. She later married Flavius Brant on August 10, 1988 in Dodge City. He preceded her in death on March 23, 1992. Mrs. Brant lived in Nowata, Oklahoma from 1915 to 1930 moving to Winfield from 1930 to 1944. Vesta then moved to Dodge City from 1945 to 1988 and San Jacinto, California from 1988 to 1992 before moving back to Dodge City in 1992.

She was a member of the First Christian Church, Phi Beta Psi Sorority, and Eastern Star all of Dodge City and the American Nurses Association, District 19 and Retired Nurses Association.

Vesta is survived by a son Jerry M. Palmer of Benbrook, Texas; a daughter Phyllis S. Battles of Ulysses; nine grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; a son, Floyd Preston Palmer; and four sisters.

Funeral service will be held at Swaim Funeral Home, Dodge City on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. with Dr. Phil Scott presiding. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City. Visitation will be from noon to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Presbyterian Manor of the Plains or First Christian Church in care of the funeral home. Thoughts, memories and full obituary may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.