Jackie J. Braatz, 65, of Ontario died Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, at Mayo Health Care System in La Crosse.
She was born Sept. 30, 1950, in Charles City, Iowa, to James and Geraldine (Johnston) Welch. Jackie was a 1968 graduate of Columbus High School. She was an administrative assistant at Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wis., and later at Edgewood College in Madison. Jackie retired from the La Crosse Outreach Foundation after 12 years.
Jackie loved all animals, especially horses, and enjoyed riding. She was a former aerobics instructor and taught country line dancing. She created many arts and crafts projects, including scrapbooking and ceramics.
Survivors include her two sons, Jim Braatz of Madison and Ron (Jennifer) Braatz of Waupun, Wis.; her granddaughters, Brittany Braatz and Paige Plummer; her father, Jim Welch of Montello, Wis.; two sisters, Brenda (Vernon) Schultz of Fall River, Wis., and Danielle (Kevin) Nelson of Montello, Wis.; one brother, Shawn (fiancée Pam Doorn) Welch of Elkhart, Ind.; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Geraldine, and her brother, Dennis “Strawberry” Welch.
Visitation will be from 3–6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, at Jensen Funeral & Cremation in Columbus. Inurnment will be in St. Jerome Cemetery in Columbus at a later date.
