Marie Braatz

Marie (Mary) "Magdalene” Braatz, 89, of Burnett, WI passed away Monday, December 4, 2023 at the family farm known as Evergreen Pastures, ascending into heaven to be reunited with her beloved husband of 69 years Henry “Hank” Braatz who passed in April of this year.

Marie was born June 4, 1934 to William and Caroline Schweitzer Jazak in Barton, WI. She graduated from St. Mary’s School in Barton, WI. As a child, Marie developed a love for farming while spending summers with her Aunt and Uncle Schweitzer, “Tante Katie” and Jake. On the farm in Saint Anthony, Marie loved listening to Tante Katie play the organ and music box, and gained a shrewd skill for gin rummy.

Marie planned to attend Mount Mary College to become a first-grade teacher, but ultimately devoted her life to farming and raising her family after marrying Henry “Hank” Braatz on January 30, 1954 at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Church.  Following Hank’s service in the Korean Conflict in Japan the couple started their new life as dairy farmers, ultimately settling in Burnett, WI to start the legacy of Evergreen Pastures.

During Marie’s lifetime she loved reading, music (especially bluegrass, polka and country legends Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings), gardening, writing and spending time with her daughters and their families. While farming, Marie grew to love all animals as beloved “pets,” staying up all night or into the early hours of the morning to help save a sickly calf or heifer. She was a lover of antiques, a passion she passed on to her daughters and granddaughters and strove all her life to make a beautiful home for her family. She was a member of the Altar Society of St. Joseph’s in Waupun. 

Marie is survived by her three daughters: Karen M. (William Lee) Pursley of Ripon, WI, Susan A. (Jeff) Boda of Waupun, WI, and Amy L. (Mark) Sobczak of Elm Grove, WI; four grandchildren: Sarah S. (Malik) Sterling of Milwaukee, WI, Linda M. (Justin) Russell of Lago Vista, TX, Alexandra L. Sobczak of New York, NY, and Austin J. Sobczak of Elm Grove, WI; a sister, Margaret Skelton of West Bend, WI; and nieces and nephews. 

Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; parents, William and Caroline Jazak; brothers, Vic and Joseph Jazak; and a sister, Helen Brodzeller. 

Memorial services for Marie Braatz will be held Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waupun. Fr. John Radetski will be officiating with a reception following. Private burial to be held. Friends and relatives may call on the family from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Marie, to the Waupun Area Animal Shelter  https://www.waupunareaanimalshelter.org or the the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter  https://www.glaas.org.