Rena Braquet Semrad

Loving Aunt

New Iberia"A funeral service celebrating the life of Mrs. Charles James Semrad, the former Rena M. Braquet, 88, of New Iberia will be held in David Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, August 7, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. The Reverend Charles Langlois will serve as officiant. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 6, 2006 from 11:00 A.M. until 10:00 P.M. in David Funeral Home, with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M. Visitation will continue on Monday from 8:00 A.M. until service time in the funeral home.

Mrs. Semrad passed away on Friday, August 04, 2006 at 8:40 A.M. in her New Iberia residence.

A native of Loreauville, Mrs. Semrad was a graduate of Spencer College in Lafayette. As a young woman, she worked at Delahoussayes Restaurant before moving to Lake Charles, where she met her husband. While in Lake Charles, Mrs. Semrad worked at the Charleston Hotel. She and Mr. Semrad moved to Chicago, IL, where Mrs. Semrad worked as head bookkeeper for Chicago Dress Company for many years. Upon her retirement in 1971, Mr. and Mrs. Semrad relocated to New Iberia. Mrs. Semrad enjoyed doing yard work, keeping house, and an occasional trip to the casino. She was a member of the Catholic faith.

Survivors include numerous nieces and nephews, including Bertha Chastant Hulin of New Iberia and Claude Chastant of Loreauville.

Mrs. Semrad is preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Charles James Semrad; parents, Henry and Marie Landry Braquet; sisters, Lucy Braquet Chastant, Marie Braquet Judice, Vernice Braquet Estilette, and Myrtle Braquet Brown; as well as other nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers are Ricky Champagne, Brody Champagne, Henry Chastant, Gregory Chastant, Vincy Darsey, and Mark Berard.

Named as honorary pallbearers are Claude Chastant, Bertha Chastant Hulin, Robert Judice, Anthony Judice, Jason Chastant, and Linwood Estilette. David Funeral Home of New Iberia has been entrusted with handling arrangements.