Elizabeth "Betty" Braatz

Elizabeth “Betty” June Braatz, 79, Wausau, died Sunday, December 3, 2017 at Evergreen Place at North Central Health Care, Wausau.

Betty was born September 19, 1938 in the Town of Cassel, Marathon County to the late Joseph and Josephine (Sekorski) Adamski.  She married Richard Braatz on September 23, 1967 at Holy Name Catholic Parish, Wausau.  During her life, Betty worked for Connors, Fiskars, Marathon Battery, Marathon Rubber and Colonial Manor.  Betty and Richard celebrated 50 loving years together prior to his death this year.

Betty was a very sweet woman who dearly loved her nieces and nephews.  She was quite a social person and thoroughly enjoyed visiting with the residents and staff at North Central Health Care during her stay.  In her free time, Betty liked to play cards, bingo, sewing, embroidery and listening to Johnny Cash.  She had a special love of each of her dogs that she cared for during her life, especially her two Siberian huskies.  Betty’s pride and joy was the last new car that she purchased; a 1992 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue that was fully loaded and like sitting in a cloud.

Betty is survived by her siblings, Helen Kowalchyk, Patricia (Fred) Smazal, James (Sharon) Adamski, David (Sandi) Adamski, Anna (Mike) Mucha and Barb (Craig) Christiansen; beloved nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.  She is preceded in death by her siblings, Leonard Adamski, Marcella Golla and Lorraine Mohr.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Betty will be at 12:00 PM on Monday, December 11, 2017 at St. Matthew Catholic Parish, Wausau.  Fr. Robert Thorn will officiate.  Visitation will be from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM on Sunday, December 10 at Helke Funeral Home with a rosary/prayer service beginning at 4:30 PM; visitation will resume on Monday at the church at 11:00 AM until the time of service.  Burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery.  Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.

Sincere appreciation goes to the nurses and staff of North Central Health Care, especially the caregivers of Southern Reflections and Evergreen Place for their care over the past years of Betty’s life.