Zachary Luke Braatz
October 03, 2010
Zachary Luke Braatz of Pleasant Hill passed away at home on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at the age of 22. Zach was born in Ames on March 5, 1988, the son of Jerry and Michelle (Lovig) Braatz.
Zach was employed by Doll Distributing since 2002 where he worked as a delivery driver. He enjoyed being known as “The Budman” and loved his co-workers and customers very much and was equally as proud to call them friends.
Zach graduated from Dowling Catholic High School in 2006 and attended Iowa State University. He approached everyday with a tremendous zeal and the inherent ability to make others feel better about themselves with his tenderness, compassion and sense of humor. He had a steadfast love of music and playing the classical guitar. His favorite past times were playing the latest video games on his big screen TV with surround sound, his multiple guitars, golf and singing to his beautiful daughter, Bella Marie.
He was also a devoted Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers fan, which he acquired from his paternal grandmother, Joan. Zach thought this would be the year to win the Super Bowl because his grandmother would be their cheerleader from heaven. She passed away in January, 2009. Now she has her first grandson to help lead the cheers.
Zach will be incredibly missed by his daughter, Bella; son, Grant; parents, Jerry (Sandra) Braatz of Waukee and Bonnie Braatz of West Des Moines; brother, Erek Wright of West Des Moines; sisters, Nicole Braatz and Jenna Ottoson of Waukee; paternal grandfather, Leo Shinsky of Milwaukee, WI; maternal grandparents, Carroll and Elaine Lovig of Story City, Noel and Sharon Owenson of Huxley; and many other close relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his biological mother, Michelle (Lovig) Braatz; grandmothers, Joan Shinsky, Nancy McCambridge; and grandfather, Clarence Kurszewski.
Services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The visitation will be on Thursday, October 7, 2010 from 6 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. The funeral service will be on Friday, October 8, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to Bank of America for Bella Braatz. Online condolences may be made at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com. If sending flowers, please have them delivered to the Sacred Heart Parish Center.
Tom and Jessica Gehrke
10/07/2010
Dear Jerry, Sandra and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our hearts are heavy knowing that you have suffered a tremendous loss. May you find comfort in friends and family, but ultimately may you lean on and rest in the loving arms of
God. The Lord is the ultimate healer...He will make your heart whole again if you let him.
Our prayers are with you,
Tom and Jess Gehrke
Sue Owenson
10/07/2010
Jerry and Sandra
We are so sorry for your loss. Praying that God will wrap you in His loving arms and give you His peace. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Autumn Mitchell
10/07/2010
Bonnie,
My family has you and your family in our thoughts, hearts and prayers.
Kwik Trip, Inc.
10/07/2010
Jerry and Family,
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your lossour thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. We are so sorry to hear about your son and please let us know if there is anything that we can do for you.
Your Friends at Kwik Trip,
Randy Dwyer & Kim Jenks
Patrick Connolly
10/07/2010
Dear Jerry and family, My Condolences on your loss. Your family are in my prayers, I pray that God gives you all the strenght to cope in these hard times. Will pray for the soul of Zach, may Mary, Queen of Heaven take him under her wing. Today on The Feast of the Most Holy Rosary, we pray Jesus gives us the strenght and courage to take it one day at a time and put our trust completely in him. Zach was a great kid, he will be missed, but he is on a different road now. With deepest sympathies, Pat.
Katie Frein
10/07/2010
Braatz family,
I dont know where to begin or how to tell you how much of an amazing man zach was or how much I will miss him. Zach and I went to Dowling together and graduated together. He was one of my favorite people because of how caring he is, his humor, and his personality. Everyone was his friend, he was adored by everyone. After high school we were reconnected through our jobs. I work at Quik Trip during the days and he would be delivering bud. It breaks my heart that I have to write this because just few weeks ago we were laughing about how much fun we had in high school. He would always come in with pictures of Bella, bragging about her and showing pictures off! She is such a beautiful little girl and I hope she knows how much her Daddy loved her, because he did. It breaks my heart to think of this happening. I am deeply, and I mean deeply sadden by this. Hope you guys are strong to get through this, use your faith. Ill miss talking to him on facebook, reading his cute comments about something funny bella did or who much he loved life. Ill also miss being at work and seeing him. Hed always call me miss frein and give me such a big hug. I dont know anyone in Quik Trip that isn't sadden by this. I want you to know we are all thinking about you and zach. I hope he knows how much he is loved by so many, and hell continue to be in my thoughts everyday! Grant and Bella had the most loving man as their father. Again Im so sorry for our loss of zach, and even though Ill never understand why this happened i dont doubt that he loved his family and friends and God. He was one of the greatest people I know. It was a pleasure attending DCHS with him, and it was a pleasure working with him.
-Katie Frein
Class of 2006
Laurie DeHaai
10/07/2010
Jerry
My heart is very sad for your loss of your son. Zach had a great smile and a caring heart. My prayers and thoughts to you and Zach's families.
Laurie De Haai
Darla Tjelmeland Moehn
10/06/2010
Carroll, Elaine, Lori and family,
You are in all my thoughts and prayers at this time of great sadness!
Love to you all, through our Lord, Jesus!
Darla
Paul Jackson
10/06/2010
Jerry and Family,
Sometimes in life we search for answers to many questions, but we never find the answers. Kris and I want you and your family to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow. Zach will always be in my memory for his laughter, smile and the way he approached everyday with the desire to make everyone's day he came in contact with better. I will miss the way he would say "Jackson what's going on"? Zach will live with all of us in his own special way.
God be with all of you,
Paul & Kris Jackson
Christina Piscitello
10/06/2010
I send my deepest condolences to all of Zach's family and friends. I was good friends
with Zach in high school and for the first couple of years of college, but unfortunately, as some friendships seem to go, lost touch over the past couple years. Zach was always incredibly kind and so cheerful. He never failed to make me laugh or offer an uplifting word of advice. He is truly missed and went much much too soon. My prayers are with you in this difficult time. Sending love... Christina
April Keating
10/06/2010
Bonnie,
I am so very sorry to hear that you have lost your son. I know that we have not talked since I moved away from Des Moines but we had some good times and good conversations back in the day. You are in my thoughts and prayers; I can't even begin to imagine the pain of losing a child. I hope you can find some peace in this time of sorrow.
Warm Regards,
April (Butler) Keating
Drew West
10/06/2010
Jerry
I wanted to let you know that you and your family are in my prayers. Zach was always there to lend a helping hand with a great upbeat and fun attitude. He for sure got his great personality from you! He will be missed by all of us.
Drew and Jill West
Sue Loomis
10/06/2010
Bonnie,
I imagine there is no pain more far-reaching and deeper than losing a child. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family at this most difficult time.
My deepest sympathy,
Sue (Johnson) Loomis
Tiffany & Gene Mercer
10/06/2010
Jerry & Family,
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Tiffany and Gene Mercer
JJ & Lisa Beener
10/06/2010
Jerry & Family,
Our hearts are heavy with sorrow for you during this very difficult loss. You will be included in our prayers during this horrible time of sorrow. Zach will live in your hearts forever so keep his memory alive. God Bless
JJ & Lisa Beener