George Bratz

On Jan. 14, 2020, we lost a beloved family member and friend when George Bratz, 83, passed away at ThedaCare Medical Center in Waupaca in the presence of friends who loved him like family. Born Feb. 17, 1936, in Elderon to Walter and Ann (Olson) Bratz, George has always been just “George” – flannel, suspenders and his blaze orange jacket, always ready with a smile and genuinely wanting to know how you’ve been. In fact, George was just happy to be around people who loved and accepted him.

George was so much more than his trusty suspenders and orange jacket. He was a man of many talents and vast interests — from reading books (Louis L’Amour being his preferred author) to camping; from morning coffee with his buddies at Hardee’s to his devotion to his church and country. As a veteran, George was proud of his service, during which he actively served in the Air Force as a heavy truck operator from 1955-1966 collectively.

Anyone who knew George will likely associate him with one of his most adored pastimes, which was passionately playing his button accordion, lovingly called by George his “button box.” Before moving to Wisconsin Veterans Home at King in Waupaca, he played at his church and later performed for his friends at King. If you asked George what his favorite song was to play, he would, without hesitation, tell you “Amazing Grace.” Then he’d play it for you with such heart for which George was known.

In the four years he lived at King, he made numerous friends and was known and greeted in the hallways by name. George could never have too many friends and relished the opportunity to learn more about anybody he met. When George called you his friend, you were a friend for life.

Some years ago, Parkinson’s disease took root in George’s life, and as he became more physically unstable, he took on yet another friend — his loyal walking stick. George never went anywhere without it, since he depended on it, and so he will be laid to rest with it alongside him.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Ann (Olson) Bratz; sisters, Patt and Alice; and brothers, David and Gene.

He is survived by his sister Betty Alm, Stevens Point; brother Walter (Terre) Bratz, Aiken, Minnesota; seven nieces and nine nephews; and close friends who were much like family, Roger and Judi Hegewald and their children Elise Gorski, Jen Racine, Danielle Andrews, Brianna Hegewald-Wunsch, Kait Hegewald, Zach Hegewald and Mackenzie Hegewald.
George made friends almost anywhere he went. Services were held at Grace Bible Church in Bowler on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. Visitation was held from 12:30 p.m. until the service, which began at 1:30 p.m. Military honors were conducted by the Elderon Memorial Post 8068 immediately following the service. Schmidt-Schulta Funeral Home in Wittenberg is handling the arrangements, and burial will be held at a later date at Evergreen Rest Cemetery in Elderon in the family plot where his grandparents, mother and sister are buried.

Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.

“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. Yet that will be the beginning.” – Louis L’Amour
A special thank you to the staff at King Veterans Home for the care they gave to George.

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