Verona Evelyn Braatz was called to be with the Lord October 15, 2017 in the Town of Stettin. She was at home surrounded by her loving family.
Verona was born Sept. 4, 1930 on the Hanke family farm in rural Marathon, daughter of the late William and Elsie (Haehlke) Hanke. She attended high school at Marathon one year and graduated from Wausau High School. She worked for the Nash Dealership as a bookkeeper. She married Emil Braatz Jr. on April 7, 1951 in Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau. During their 66 years of marriage, Verona was a hard worker on the farm milking cows, driving truck for the pea viner, hauling oats to the feed mill and in her spare time cooking delicious meals, canning vegetables and fruits and raising six children. It was normal to have ten to twelve people sitting at the supper table. While Emil worked a day job, Verona and the kids would run the farm. She belonged to various clubs including Vilas Homemakers, was a past president of the Marathon PTA, attended the bible study and quilting group at Trinity Lutheran Church, Stettin. She was also the chauffeur for the many events her children and grandchildren participated in.
As a charter member of the Pommerscher Verein of Central Wisconsin she enjoyed participating in club activities and trips sponsored by the German Club. These included trips to Germany, New York, Nebraska and Wisconsin to learn about her heritage. Verona was a member of the Board of Directors at the time of her death. She was known for her great dill pickles that were provided for the “Old Fashioned Card Party.” Her children referred to her pickles as “Ma Braatz Pickles” which were often requested as Christmas gifts by family and friends.
Emil and Verona also traveled to Florida, Alaska, North and South Dakota, Washington DC, and Canada. They loved to visit family and friends. Many of these visits and parties included playing sheepshead. They belonged to several card clubs and in their earlier years bowled in a couples’ league.
Verona will forever be remembered by her husband, Emil, and her children, Janelle (Thomas Bogren) Braatz of Rothschild, WI, Randall (Cynthia) Braatz of Marathon, WI, Carlene (David Daniels) Braatz of Rhinelander, WI, Joel (Cassie McLain) Braatz of Merrill, WI, Lowell (fiancée, Maureen Socha) Braatz of Wausau, W,I and Laurel (Timothy Feist) Braatz of Sturgeon Bay, WI. She was blessed with four grandchildren: Samuel Braatz, Hannah Braatz, Kelsey Daniels and Ericka Braatz.
Other survivors include her brother and sister-in-law LaVern and Janet Hanke, brother-in-law Walter Braatz and sisters-in-law Erna Prosser and Betty Braatz. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister JoAnn (Dorian) Schmidt, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Paul and Pearl Braatz, Edward and Elsie Osterbrink, Junice Braatz, Elizabeth Braatz, Richard Braatz and Swede Prosser.
A funeral will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, October 20 at Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA), Town of Stettin 1008 N. 120th Ave, Wausau, WI. The Rev. Phil Bogen will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 pm on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau West Chapel, 3400 Stewart Ave. and from 9:00 am until time of service Friday, October 20 at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials for Verona be made to one of the following: Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA), (1008 N. 120th Ave. Wausau, WI 54401), Pommerscher Verein Central Wisconsin (PVCW, Box 103, Wausau, WI 54402-0103) or the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Wisconsin Chapter (3313 S. Packerland Dr., Suite E, De Pere, WI 54115).
A special thank you to Aspirus Hospice for directing the Braatz family in taking care of Verona during the last month. Your guidance helped us keep Verona at home in a loving environment. A special thank you goes to Cassie for leading our family through the last months.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com