Patricia Ann Braley

Braley, Patricia (Vedvig)

STOUGHTON/ EDGERTON - Patricia Ann (Vedvig) Braley, age 53, passed away at her home on July 27, 2008, with her beloved husband Mike, at her side. She was born to Matt and Syneva (Markley) Vedvig of Albion Township, on March 26, 1955. She grew up on the Vedvig family farm and joined the ""joyous"" tradition of helping raise tobacco. Pat was an avid animal lover, and spent much of her childhood learning about, riding, and showing horses, earning numerous ribbons and trophies pursuing her passion. Through her life, she was a devoted bird and animal caregiver. Her love of animals, and her tendency to bring them home, sometimes tested her husband's patience. In June, 1977, Pat married the love of her life, Michael Braley, of Monona. They lived in Madison until 1985, after which they made their home on the Sesquicentennial farm of her mother's family in the Town of Pleasant Springs. Pat and Mike spent much of their spare time together with their horses, and a variety of rescued pets. They vacationed annually, for the past seventeen years in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, often times with traveling companions Mike and Veralee Gregg, enjoying Mayan ruins, Caribbean waters and the company of many native friends. They also traveled with family and friends to several National Parks, from Denali in Alaska to Big Bend in Texas. Some of Pat's favorites were Glacier National Park, the Redwoods of California and the Tetons of Wyoming. A very special trip was for Pat's 50th birthday, in which Mike surprised her with tickets to the 131st Kentucky Derby. It was one of the few occasions she was seen in a dress and a fancy hat. A highlight of the trip was obtaining an autograph from jockey ""Mike Smith"", a day before he rode in the derby, and won on a horse named ""Giacomo"". Closer to home, Pat was an enthusiastic Badger football and basketball fan, as well as an avid Packer fan. Pat graduated from Edgerton High School in 1973, and later attained a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Journalism from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1987. She worked for the State of Wisconsin, as publications editor, first at the Department of Public Instruction and then at the Educational Communications Board, until retiring in 2005. She also served on the Utica Community Association Board for more than 15 years. Pat liked creating home-made costumes to wear on holidays and special occasions. Her friends and family will remember her as fun-loving, high-spirited, and the life of the party. She is also fondly remembered for her famous ""Braley's Irish Creme"", which she concocted for brother Rich's Possum Lodge deer camp, and each holiday season for family and friends. In 1998, Pat was diagnosed with a rare condition of multiple astrocytoma tumors of the spinal cord. Her spirit and perhaps her Norwegian resilience, kept her strong and positive. In the last two years, as her physical abilities became limited, she was cared for at home, lovingly, by her partner in life, Mike, as well as family, friends and neighbors until her passing. The support of Meriter Home Health and then HospiceCare was invaluable and greatly appreciated during this period. Pat was pre-deceased by her parents, Matt and Syneva Vedvig and a nephew, Rick Vedvig. She is survived by her loving husband, Mike; two brothers Gene (Betty) of Payson, Ariz. and Rich (Susan Waters) of Stoughton; nieces and nephews Vicki (Ken) Hartzler and Misty (Doug) Parsons, of Mesa and Tucson, Ariz., respectively, Jeff (Susan) Vedvig and Dan (Renee) Vedvig, both of Stoughton and Lisa (Ted) Keehn of Cooksville; great-nephews and nieces, Kevin and Eric Parsons of Tucson, Roxanne, Hillary, Ashley, Alicia and Hanna Vedvig of Stoughton and Erica and Andrew Keehn of Cooksville. She will also be sadly missed by her husband's family: David and Elaine Braley of Monona, sister-in-law Cathy Koch of Oshkosh, brothers-in-laws, Kirk (Joan) and David, Jr. (Juanita) both of Monona; nieces and nephews, Ashley and Jimmy Koch of Oshkosh, Stephanie, Lindsey and Travis Braley of Monona, and Becky (Nate) Wetherall and Linda (Terell) Foster of Aurora Co. A Memorial Celebration of Pat's life will be held at the Creekview Par Three, 770 Albion Road, Edgerton, on Sunday August 10, 2008 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Pat requested that memorials in her name be sent to HospiceCare of Janesville, the American Brain Tumor Foundation, the Salvation Army of Dane County, or to any humane society with the gift dedicated to the care of horses.

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