Viola M. Lemke Braatz, 100, formerly of Cecil, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in Shawano. Viola was born on March 17, 1913, in the town of Washington to John and Louise (Bahr) Bartelt.
On March 3, 1931, she was united in marriage to Clarence Lemke, of Cecil. He preceded her in death on Oct. 28, 1972. On Jan. 17, 1976, she married Leonard Braatz, of Shawano. He passed away on Oct. 15, 2008. Viola worked at two different grocery stores and a hardware store in Cecil. She also worked at the Gillett canning factory, the Gillett plywood factory and veneer factory. She worked at Schultz’s Variety Store in Shawano for 13 years. She was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Cecil, being the first woman president of the congregation in 1972-1973. Viola was a member of the Ladies Aid Group, an AARP member, and secretary and treasurer of the XYZ card club for 15 years. She was a member of the Homemakers Sunshine Club for over 50 years. She enjoyed picking berries, gardening, fishing, playing cards, traveling and mostly crocheting snow flakes for relatives.
Viola is survived by a daughter, Betty (Kent) Murdock, of Shawano; five grandchildren, Randall Murdock, of Green Bay, Todd Murdock, of Shawano, Jodie Thompson (Richard Olson), of Shawano, Tom Murdock, of Shawano and Nancy (Greg) Curtis, of Appleton; eight great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Ron Braatz, of Norwalk, Richard Braatz, of Milwaukee, Gene (Kathy) Braatz, of Shawano, and Bernita (Gordon) Evenstad, of Florida.
Viola was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Clarence Lemke and Leonard Braatz; two brothers, Ervin and Robert Bartelt; a sister, Esther Bloedorn.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, at 11 a.m. at St. John United Church of Christ in Cecil with the Rev. Marty Black officiating. Family and friends may call at the church on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Shawano.
The family would like to thank Theda Care Hospice and especially Team 5—you are a fantastic group.
Zastrow Funeral Home in Cecil is assisting the family.
www.zastrowfuneralhome.com
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