Marie Anna Brackey

Marie Anna Katzung Brackey was born November 19, 1919 to Edward and Anna (Menge) Katzung at home.  She was the youngest of 12 children.  Marie was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kiester, MN.  She grew up in the Kiester area and attended Independent School District #85 in Faribault County.  Marie met her husband Helmer O. Brackey shortly after he returned from WWII.  They were united in marriage on June 20, 1946 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Kiester, MN.  After their marriage they lived in Glenville, MN for 8 years before moving to Albert Lea. Marie was employed in downtown Albert Lea for 19 years at the Albert Lea Bakery as a bakery salesclerk.  After the bakery closed in the early 1980’s, Marie enjoyed home life and morning coffee get togethers with neighbors.  That lasted one year, when she was called by the owner of the newly built Donut Kettle and asked if she would come to work for him in his new business.  She was ready to work again as she missed the friendships of working.  Marie worked as a bakery salesclerk again at the Donut Kettle for 17 more years.  She retired in 1992 at age 73. Marie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.  Her greatest joy was having family around and doing things with them.  For years she tended to a huge vegetable garden and spent hours canning and freezing food for the family.  She also loved flower gardening.  Marie was an excellent seamstress, many evenings after work she would sit at her Singer Treadle sewing machine making outfits for Elaine & Marilyn. She also did beautiful hand work such as embroidery and crafts of all kinds, till her eyesight deteriorated.  She enjoyed large family gatherings and loved cooking and baking for all. She especially loved making lefse during the holidays (this Norwegian treat was taught to her by Helmer’s mother, Annie Brackey).  A favorite pastime for both Marie and Helmer was dancing at many of the local ballrooms; The Monterey, the Terp & the Golden Bubble were their favorites.  Marie enjoyed fishing trips with Helmer, Elaine and Marilyn and their friends.  Marie was involved with the support group Al-Anon of Albert Lea for 23 years, where Helmer was an AA member.  One of the highlights of her life was traveling with her family to Germany and visiting her family homeland for two weeks in Schakhulden, Germany.  Over the years she also enjoyed numerous trips with the Senior Citizens Center to various cities and states.  In later years, she especially enjoyed extended family trips to Alabama & Arkansas.  Marie was a member with various organizations including the Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW, American Legion & DAV, The Eagles Club and Friends at First at FLC.  She did volunteer work for the American Red Cross and American Cancer Society Crusades.  She taught Sunday school classes at First Lutheran Church in Glenville and later at First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea where she was a member for over 60 years.
Survivors left to cherish her memory are daughters Elaine Marie (Dick) Rooney, Bella Vista, AR. and Marilyn Ann (Bob) Sasser, Albert Lea;  grandsons  Michael R. (Sarah) Rooney, Mark R. (Beth) Sasser and Ryan A. Rooney;  great-grandchildren Will & Rob Sasser, and Olivia & Finley Rooney; and many nieces and nephews.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents,  husband  Helmer,  grandson Scott Dean Sasser, brothers Louis, Manville, Harold and Arnold; sisters Maletta Katzung, Amanda (Henry) Drescher, Martha (Thomas) Wipplinger, Irene (Alfred) Wigern, Ruby (Art) Becker, Lillian (Hap) Monson-Harbin and Alverta (Denard) Davidson.  Blessed be her memory.
Her family would like to thank the caregivers at the Good Samaritan Center for the care and friendliness they gave and the Mayo Clinic Hospice.
Memorials, if desired, may be given to Peace and Power at First Lutheran Church or to Mayo Clinic Hospice.