----Source: Tribune-Record-Gleaner (Loyal, Wis.) 05/14/2003

Bragg, David E. (14 Jul 1927 - 2 May 2003)

David Bragg, 75, Neillsville, died on Saturday, May 2, 2003, in the emergency room of the Memorial Medical Center, Neillsville. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, May 7, at the Calvary Lutheran Church, Neillsville. The Rev. James Gordon officiated. Music was provided by Charlotte Drescher, organist, and William and Daniel Elmhorst, vocalists. Burial was in the Town of Grant Cemetery, with military rites accorded by the Neillsville Veterans Council. Pallbearers were Russell Ratsch, Gerald Marden, Matthew Daniels, Dale Erickson, Jason Erickson and Justin Erickson.

David Erwin Bragg was born on July 14, 1927, in Roxbury, Mass. He attended school in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, and then joined the U.S. Navy on Oct. 17, 1945. He was enlisted in the Navy for a total of 14 years and served in World War II and the Korean Conflict. He married Luella Ratsch-Daniels on June 12, 1952, in Neillsville. After their marriage, they moved to Maryland where he re-enlisted into the Navy. After his honorable discharge in 1958, they bought her parents’ farm near Neillsville. Along with farming, he worked as a clerk at the Holiday Gas Station in Neillsville. He also worked at the Marshfield Foundry and at Neillsville Milk Products as a cheesemaker, and as a carpenter and roofer in the area. They also operated a secondhand store at their home for 48 years. He was a member of the Calvary Lutheran Church, Neillsville, and the Haugen-Richmond American Legion Post 73, Neillsville. His interests included softball, reading, puzzles and the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks and Milwaukee Brewers.

Survivors include his wife, Luella; two sons, Larry Daniels, Wheaton, Ill., and Steven (Susan) Daniels, Neillsville; two daughters, Susan (Evan) Erickson, Eau Claire, and Cheryl (David) Stedman, Fort Atkinson; one son-in-law, Ernest (Peggy) Erickson, Neillsville; six grandchildren, Dale Erickson, Neillsville, Jennifer, Jason and Justin Erickson, Eau Claire, Tina (Chris) Mueller, Whitewater, and Matthew Daniels, Madison; one great-grandson, Logan Mueller, Whitewater; one sister; one brother; three brothers-in-law, Clarence (Dorothy) Ratsch, Neillsville, Harold (Irene) Ratsch, Greenwood, and Robert (Marie) Ratsch, Neillsville; and one sister-in-law, Anita (Bob) Lulloff, Neillsville.

Preceding him in death were his parents; one daughter, Luann Erickson; one grandson, Frederick Daniels; one daughter-in-law, Jackie Daniels; and two sisters-in-law, Edna Stefan and Iris Smith.

The Gesche Funeral Home, Neillsville, assisted the family with arrangements.