Obit: Bragg, Luella Mildred #2 (1927 - 2012)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Bragg, Nowek, Ratsch, Daniels, Erickson, Stedman, Lulloff, Canfield, Stefan, Smith, Rueth, Christensen, Mueller, Anderson-Bauer

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) January 25, 2012

Bragg, Luella Mildred (2 September 1927 - 17 January 2012)

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

Luella Mildred Ratsch was born 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 to Frederick Daniels Aug. 25, 1946, with whom she had two sons.  After Frederick’s death she was united in marriage to David Bragg June 12, 1952, and together they had three daughters.  In 1956, they purchased the Herman Ratsch farm and Luella worked as a farm housewife and operated the thrift shop on their property for over 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 Packer fan, had a wonderful doll collection and she also collected various antiques.

She is survived by four children, Larry Daniels of Wheaton, IL, 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 infant brother, Walter Ratsch.

Funeral services for Luella were held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Neillsville.  Pastor Judith Anderson-Bauer officiated.  Music was provided by Jodi Rueth, organist, David Stedman, vocalist, and Jasin Christensen, guitarist/vocalist. Visitation was from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday morning prior to the service at the church. Interment was in the Town of Grant Cemetery.

Serving as casketbearers were Jason, Justin, and Dale Erickson, Jasin Christensen, Matthew Daniels and Christopher Mueller.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beaureguard Street, 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 assisted Luella’s family with funeral arrangements.