Obit: Bragg, Luella M. (1927 - 2012)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org    

Surnames: Bragg, Ratsch, Nowek, Daniels, Erickson, Stedman, Lulloff, Canfield

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 01/19/2012

Bragg, Luella M. (2 SEP 1927 - 17 JAN 2012)

Luella M. Bragg, 84, of Neillsville, died on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, at the Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville.

Luella Mildred Ratsch was born on Sept. 2, 1927, in a log cabin on the home farm in Neillsville, the daughter of Herman and Emma (Nowek) Ratsch. In 1931, they moved into their new house, built next to the log cabin, and she attended the Reed School, which was just down the road. She was united in marriage on Aug. 25, 1946, to Frederick Daniels, with whom she had two sons. 

After Frederick's death she was united in marriage to David Bragg on June 12, 1952, and together they had three daughters. They purchased the Herman Ratsch farm in 1956, and Luella worked as a farm housewife and operated the thrift shop on their property for more than 57 years, enjoying every customer that visited. David died in 2003 and Luella sold "The Pioneer Estate" as she referred to her property in July of 2011.

She was a member of the Calvary Lutheran Church in Neillsville. She was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, had a wonderful doll collection and she also collected various antiques. 

She is survived by four children; Larry Daniels of Wheaton, Ill., Steven (Susan) Daniels of Neillsville, Susan (Evan) Erickson of Eau Claire and Cheryl (David) Stedman of Fort Atkinson; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is further survived by a sister, Anita Lulloff; a brother, Robert (Marie) Ratsch; and two sisters-in-law, Irene Ratsch and Elizabeth Canfield.

Luella was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Frederick Daniels and David Bragg; a daughter, Luann Erickson; a daughter-in-law, Jackie Daniels; an infant grandson, Frederick Maurice Daniels; sisters, Edna Stefan and Iris Smith; and brothers, Clarence "Jack" Ratsch, Harold Ratsch and an infant brother, Walter Ratsch.

Funeral services for Luella will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Neillsville. Pastor Judith Anderson-Bauer will officiate. Music will be provided by Jodi Rueth, organist, David Stedman, vocalist and Jasin Christensen, guitarist/vocalist. 

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m., to 11 a.m. Friday morning prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the town of Grant Cemetery.

Serving as casket bearers will be Jason Erickson, Justin Erickson, Dale Erickson, Jasin Christensen, Matthew Daniels and Christopher Mueller.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either the: American Diabetes Association , 1701 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311; or the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin, 280 Regency Court, Suite 100, Brookfield, WI 53045-6165.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. 

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Luella's family with funeral arrangements.