Veronica Cecil Brauer

Veronica C. “Ronie” Brauer, 71, of La Crosse passed away in her home, surrounded by family on Sunday, July 10, 2022.

Born in 1951, Ronie was the seventh child of Armond and Sophia (Striegel) Gross and was born and raised on French Island. She graduated from Logan High School in 1969 and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 1973. She taught at Trempealeau Elementary School and St. James Elementary School. She worked for Festival Foods in Onalaska until her cancer made it too difficult to work.

Ronie was a lifelong member of St. James the Less Catholic Church, where she served as eucharistic minister, scheduler, money counter, church cleaner and was Lady of the Year in 2004. She was a founding member of the Town of Campbell First Responders and served for 37 years, including involvement with the La Crosse County Emergency Management team. Ronie and Gary were very involved in the La Crosse Catholic School’s Mardi Gras celebration, including serving as Lord and Lady of the Krewe of Three Rivers in 2001. Within the Town of Campbell, she served as softball coach and Elections Poll Leader.

Her hobbies included playing card games with her family and friends, crocheting, bowling, softball, camping, and watching the Game Show Network. She enjoyed following the Milwaukee Brewers and most especially, her beloved Green Bay Packers!

Ronie is survived by her loving husband of nearly 50 years, Gary, and her children, Kelli (Steve) Martin of West Salem and Kyle (Elliott Fischer) of Oshkosh; three granddaughters, Rachael, Syd, and Evelyn Martin. She is further survived by her sister, Kate Mastaw of Grand Rapids, MI; Sisters-in Law, Terry Jean (Terry) Houlihan of La Crosse, Robin Phillips of Florence, MS, and Erna (Butch Rogowski) Brauer of La Crosse; as well as many, many nieces and nephews.

Ronie was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers: Bob and Patrick, and three sisters: Pat, Marge, and Betty, and their spouses.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, July 19 at St. James the Less Catholic Church (1032 Caledonia St. La Crosse); Father Woodrow Pace will officiate. She will be interred at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Monday, July 18 at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home (1501 West Avenue South, La Crosse) with Rosary at 7:00 PM. There will also be a visitation at the church at 10:00 AM until the time of the service, at Church, on Tuesday.

Ronie’s family would like to send special thanks to the Staff at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, ICU, and Hospice; and the “Northside Girls.”

Memorials contributions can be made to “Town of Campbell First Responders” or “St. James the Less Catholic Church Handicap Ramp Project.”