Willis E. “Tubby” Bratsch

Willis E. “Tubby” Bratsch, 90, of Cantonment, FL, formerly of Willmar, died Monday, June 8th at his daughter’s home where he had been living the past couple of years. His Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00am, Tuesday, June 16th at Church of St. Mary with interment to follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass at the church. Funeral arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org

Willis was born January 25, 1930, in Danube, MN, the son of Willie and Lillie (Lawin) Bratsch. He attended District #70 and graduated from Olivia High School in 1948. It was while he was growing up he acquired the nickname, Tubby.

On April 12, 1950, he was united in marriage to Betty Eischens at Church of St. Mary in Willmar. Following their marriage, they lived in Olivia until 1967 when they moved to Rosemount and in 1982, they moved to Clear Lake, IA. They returned to the Willmar area in 1991, first living on the lake for a couple of years before settling into their home in Willmar. Since 2018, Tubby has lived with their daughter, Kathy. He worked as a propane terminal manager for ENRON Corp for 26 years, retiring in 1992.

He was baptized in Marshall, confirmed in Olivia and while living in Willmar, was a member of Church of St. Mary where he was an usher.

Tubby cherished all the time he was able to spend traveling in their motorhome with Betty. He enjoyed playing cards, and putzing around the home and garage. Family gatherings were always important to him and rarely missed a get together.

Surviving are his children: Gary (and Susan) Bratsch of Phoenix, AZ; Sandy (and Bob) Johnson of Willmar; Kathy Bratsch of Cantonment, FL; six grandchildren: Jessica Bratsch, Joe Bratsch, Melissa Hansen, Joe (and Holly) Johnson, Tony (and Kristin) Johnson, Tyler (and Emmi) Bratsch; ten great grandchildren: Ayla, Jack, Ella, Evan, Emme, Olivia, Lizzie, Lia, Jada and Cameron. Also surviving is his brother, Dennis (and Eileen) Bratsch of Spicer and several niece and nephews.

Besides his parents and wife, Betty, on May 18, 2009, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Cindy Lou in 1956; and siblings: Gilbert, Verona Beckler, Ruth Jacobson, Virginia Faiman, Gloria McGovern, Rosie Savoie, Beverly Kubesh, Willard, Virgil, Percy, Savilla Shubert and Delores Howard.