Margaret (Gosia) W.
Mrs. Braatz, as I referred to her all of my life, and my children refer to her all of their lives will always have a place in our hearts. She was a driven, strong woman that really paved her own path. She wore pantsuits, managed a business. The Braatzes didn't break often and rarely did they vacation, they had one of the hardest jobs after they "retired" - growing food. She was shrewd, innovative and feisty. She had multiple uses for beeswax, kohlrabi and made pepper jelly before it was trendy. She was kind to animals and those that were kind to animals. When they could no longer chase dogs, she continued to cuddle cats. My memories go way back. Listening to their grandfather clock, sledding down their hill, watching her boil jam. Every day, like today, that I work in my own personal garden, I feel close to her and Mr. Braatz. My memories go way back, planting onions (& leaving when I was tired) and selling at the market or at their house, Wednesday milk runs to a dairy farm, following Mr. Braatz down the corn rows for sweet corn to bagging popcorn, shucking peas, and being corrected many times! Hollyhocks, asparagus, gladiolas. They were our grandparents without the blood relation. We had regular Sunday dinners and, when I was an adult, continued to celebrate all holidays, birthdays, and celebrations. When living out of town, it's hard not to think, I should have, I could have. I am sad, but I know her body and God said it was time. She was happiest keeping busy, making something, doing something, keeping Mr. Braatz in line :), and it took it's toll on her body and mind to not have what she loved. Keep her and Mmemory and work ethic alive - grow something, put up a bird feeder, adopt a pet, buy local honey or support a farmer's market! If anyone reads this that may have their pictures, I would love a copy of Mr. Braatz's work core days at a camp near Rhinelander, and just a few other copies or scanned pics. God bless.