Arthur R. and Arlayne C. Braatz

MONONA - Arthur R. Braatz, age 97, of Monona, passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Madison. He was born on May 23, 1929, in Columbus. He was the son of Wilhelm and Cora (Krueger) Braatz. Art graduated from Columbus High School. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from UW-Madison in 1951.  He proudly served in the U.S. Marines during the Korean Conflict. As a CPA, he worked as an auditor for the state of Wisconsin, a comptroller for Rennebohm Rexall Drug Stores and Bock Water Heaters, retiring in 1995.

Arlayne C. (Peters) Braatz, age 95, passed away just two days later, on Monday, September 28, 2026, in Madison. She was born on February 16, 1931, in Madison. She was the daughter of Charles and Alva (Wheeler) Peters. Arlayne graduated from Madison West High School. She was a homemaker and was also employed with Jacobson Brothers Meats, retiring in 1995.

Art and Arlayne were married on December 26, 1953, in Madison, Wisconsin. They were blessed with four children and shared 73 wonderful years together, building a life centered on family, faith, and service.

Art was active in Trinity Lutheran and St. Stephen’s Lutheran Churches, serving as a past council member and Sunday school teacher. He was a longtime member of the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Institute of Management Accountants. He was also deeply involved in Scouting for more than 30 years, serving as president of the Four Lakes Council, Scoutmaster of Troop 146 at St. Stephen’s, South Central Region chairman of the National Lutheran Association of Scouting, and camp commissioner.

Music was an important part of Art’s life. He played tuba with the Marine Corps Band, UW Marching Band, UW Alumni Band, and Oregon Community Band. He also enjoyed skiing, serving as a ski instructor at Devil's Head Resort.

Arlayne was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she and Art served as leaders and were active in the Couples Club. Arlayne was also a longtime member of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church. Music was also a lifelong passion. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Choir and sang at funerals for Gunderson Funeral Home. Arlayne also volunteered as a pianist for the State Solo and Ensemble participants from Monona Grove School District. Arlayne was a talented seamstress and enjoyed sewing clothes. She was also an avid Star Trek fan.

Art and Arlayne are survived by their daughter, Marla (Scott) Johnson; sons, Mark (Kim) Braatz, Paul Braatz and Daniel (Kim) Braatz; grandsons, Peter Johnson, Brian (Angela) Braatz, Collin Braatz and Connor Braatz; granddaughter, Stacy (William) Meade; and great-grandchildren, Calvin Braatz, Caroline Braatz, Zoe Braatz, Maeve Meade and Wolfe Meade. They were preceded in death by their parents; Art’s brothers, Walter (Suzie) Braatz and Lester Braatz; Arlayne's brother Curtis (Marjorie) Peters.

A funeral service for both Art and Arlayne will be held AT GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 1 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026, with the Rev. Paul Markquart presiding. Burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2026, and from 12 noon until the time of the service on Friday.

Memorials made to the family will be distributed to local organizations on Art and Arlayne's behalf. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420