Obituary: Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Brauer

By Door County Pulse , Peninsula Pulse – September 7th, 2021

July 4, 1936 – Sept. 6, 2021

Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Brauer, 85, of Sturgeon Bay, died at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay following a recent injury.

She was born in Algoma, the daughter of Henry Mathias Rock and Marie Teresa (Simon) Rock. Betty grew up attending St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Algoma. She graduated from Algoma High School with the Class of 1954. Betty went on to study (nursing) at Holy Family School of Nursing in Manitowoc. She began working as a registered nurse for Algoma Hospital (now Algoma Long Term Care) in 1957.

Betty was united in marriage to Daniel Romain Brauer the following year on her birthday at her home church of St. Mary’s. They resided in Valmy, in the Town of Sevastopol, where they raised their family. She continued working at the hospital in Algoma until 1965, when she went to work for Door County Memorial Hospital (DCMH) in Sturgeon Bay. Betty was a nurse at DCMH for more than 36 years, all while caring for her family at home. She retired from DCMH in 2001. Betty and Dan were blessed with more than 57 years of marriage. Dan preceded her in death on Sept. 30, 2015. Betty moved into the Big Hill Apartments in Sturgeon Bay in June of 2018 and became close with her fellow residents there.

Betty and Dan were longtime members of Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Institute. She was a Whitefish Bay Band member and volunteered with the annual church fish boil and rummage sale. Betty also volunteered with Neighbor to Neighbor. She devoted her life to caring for others at the hospitals she was employed at and especially for her children at home. Even in her “retirement,” Betty continued offering nursing care and advice to neighbors and friends. She became the secondary call center for the COVID-19 hotline as her phone number was one number different from the true COVID-19 hotline. Betty would politely take their call and help redirect them to the actual hotline.

At home, she was known for her canning, cooking and baking. Betty and Danny enjoyed taking vacations together. In her later years, she enjoyed reading and putting jigsaw puzzles together.

Betty’s love will live on in the hearts of her five children, Rick (Sandy) Brauer of Sturgeon Bay, Becky (Todd) Claflin of Little Sturgeon, Julie (Keith) Kasbohm, Todd (Dee Dee) Brauer, both of Sturgeon Bay, and Paul (Sue) Brauer of Howard; twelve grandchildren, Amber (Matt) Howington and Robyn (Tyler) Nation, Alex Claflin, Heather (Shawn) Kressin and Shannon (Kris) Wilber, Matt (fiancée, Jessica Sailor) Brauer, Allison (Nick) Held, Devon (fiancée, Emily Souder) Storlie, and Eric (fiancée, Amara Rymut) Storlie, Nolan (Betsy) Brauer, Kelsey Brauer, and Keaton Brauer; two great-grandchildren, Kylee and Sophia Held; brother James (Loretta) Rock of Olathe, KS; siblings-in-law, Mary Jean Charles of Green Bay, Carol Johnson of Joliet, IL, and Lester Brauer of Hendersonville, TN; nieces and nephews; other relatives; and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; siblings, Edith Rock, and Virginia Randerson; siblings-in-law, Warren (Marie) Brauer, Bill Jr. (Sheila) Brauer, James (Hilda) Brauer, Larry Brauer, Eileen (Lloyd Lenius; Hank Martin), brothers-in-law, James Randerson, Leonard Charles, Don Johnson; and other relatives.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday, Sept. 11, 12:30 pm, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Institute (4767 E. Dunn Road, Sturgeon Bay), with Fr. Robert Stegmann as the celebrant. She will be laid to rest in the church cemetery beside her husband, Daniel.

Visitation will be held Friday, Sept. 10, starting at 4 pm, at Huehns Funeral Home, 1414 Michigan St. Sturgeon Bay, with a parish wake service to conclude the visitation at 7:30 pm. Visitation will continue Saturday, 11 am – 12:15 pm, at the church.

Those in attendance at the visitations and/or funeral mass are asked to wear a face mask.

Memorials may be given in name of Neighbor to Neighbor (P.O. Box 626, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235).

“Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the local first responders and Door County Emergency Services as well as the staffs of Door County Medical Center, Aurora BayCare Medical Center, and Aurora At-Home Hospice for the excellent and compassionate care given to our mother.”

Expressions of sympathy, memories and photos of Betty can be shared through her tribute page at huehnsfuneralhome.com.