Feb. 2, 2018 – Town of Barton, WI – Dorothy A. “Dotty Ann” Brath, nee Forsberg, of the Town of Barton, died on Friday, February 2, 2018 at her home surrounded by her loving family at the age of 73 years. She was born on December 24, 1944 in Shawano County to the late Harold and Ruth (nee Williams) Forsberg. As a child, she and her dad moved to the West Bend area, living in Nabob.
On February 6, 1965, she was united in marriage to Donald J. Brath at Holy Angels Catholic Church.
Once her children were in school, she worked as an Early Childhood (EC) Exceptional Educational Aide at Kewaskum Elementary School where she touched the lives of many special students and their families.
Throughout her life, her passion was her family. Her children, and later grandchildren, were her pride and joy. Trips up north to the lake and casino with the love of her life, Donny John “Papa”, became their enjoyment during their retirement. Her winnings were secretly shared with her grandchildren. She also composed meaningful poetry in cards that were sent to family and friends. Her unique optimism was contagious!
Survivors include her loving husband of almost 53 years Don; 4 children: Deborah (John) Rehman of West Bend, Daniel (Lori) of Kewaskum, Jennifer (Chad) Nicpon of Richfield and Jill (Paul) Buettner of West Bend; 11 grandchildren: Tyler and Trenton Rehman, Michael, Andrew and Donald Brath, Tessa, Chase, Cody and Colton Nicpon and Jonathan and Julia Buettner; a special grandchild Samantha “Sammy” Droese; 2 aunts Dorothy Johnson of Marinette, Joan Casetta of West Bend; 2 step-sisters: Brenda (Ron) Knoeck of West Bend and Jeanne Mueller of West Bend; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Janet (Robert) Melzer of St. Killian, Karl (Marilyn) Brath of Campbellsport, Karen Keller of Campbellsport, Ken Brath of Mequon, Allen (Jane) Brath of West Bend; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Ruth, her step-mother Erma, parents-in-law George and Frances Brath, brothers-in-law Fr. John Brath, Harlu Keller, sister-in-law Anna May Brath, uncle Leroy Casetta, and step-siblings Jackie and Jack Cook.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, February 7 at 11 a.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church with burial following in Washington County Memorial Park. The family will greet relatives and friends during a period of visitation at the church on Wednesday from 9 until 10:45 a.m.
Those who wish may give memorials to Help Corner or the Albrecht Free Clinic.
Dorothy’s family would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to Dr. Renee Jahnke for her care and compassion and also Ann Kratz, NP, at the CHF Clinic in Grafton. The family would also like to acknowledge and thank Janet Youmans and Mary Maeder for their weekly support and encouragement.
The Schmidt Funeral Home of West Bend is serving the family.