Jeane Elizabeth Braatz, 91, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at The Waterford Magnolia Trails in Plymouth on December 14th, 2025. She was a cherished mother, grandmother, and friend, and her presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Jeane was born in Chilton, Wisconsin, on March 27, 1934, to Lloyd and Dorothy (Mertes) Reiss. She was raised in Chilton and New Holstein and graduated from New Holstein High School in 1952 and was united in marriage to Martin Braatz Jr. on June 16, 1956 in New Holstein. She and Marty then moved to Tucson, Arizona for six years before moving back to Sheboygan to raise their growing family.
Jeane’s #1 job was taking care of her family. She created countless memories with her love of kitties and flowers, cooking and baking, celebrating holidays, and doing hands on chores such as yardwork and shoveling. Among her favorite leisure activities were reading, listening to music, suntanning at the beach, playing with her grandchildren, and sharing a cup of coffee and her homemade baked goods with friends and family. Jeane especially loved a KwikTrip glazer, spice drop candies, Bridge Mix chocolates and an icy-cold Coca Cola. Jeane will be best remembered for her “gift of gab”. She loved sharing stories with anyone who would listen! Her sense of humor and quirky traits attracted many lifelong friends. When her children were older, Jeane took great pride working at Pranges and Younkers for many years as a dedicated salesclerk.
Jeane is survived by her four children, Terry (Wendy) Braatz, Tammy (Gary) Damrow, Denise (Jeff Roberts) Imig, and David Braatz. A devoted grandma, her grandchildren include Tanya Damrow, Steve (Amy) Damrow, Brett (Leah) Damrow, Amanda (Ben) Wernberg, Adam (Michelle) Braatz, Alyssa (Andrew) Bridgman, Paul (Becky) Imig, Drew (Danielle) Imig, and Trevor (Tessa) Braatz; her great grandchildren Calvin and Lincoln Damrow, Trae and Ella Imig, Grace, Abby, and Isabelle Braatz, Ephram Wernberg, and Iris and Isabelle Imig. Jeane is also survived by her sister Joan Stevens of Greenfield, Wisconsin, and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Lloyd and Dorothy, her brother Terry Reiss and his son Cary, and the father of her children, Marty Braatz.
Jeane’s family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the exceptional staff at Magnolia Trails Memory Care at Waterford and Heartland Hospice for the loving, compassionate care they gave her during her final years. Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home is assisting the family. A private family memorial service will be held. Burial will take place at Greenlawn Cemetery.
