Etta Marie Van De Brake, 82, of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, Balsam Lake Township, passed away on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.

Etta was born on April 2, 1940, in Winona, MN the daughter of Loretta (Guetlzow) and Myron Schwanke.

In her youth, Etta attended school in Cochrane, Wisconsin, and then attended and graduated from the River Falls Teacher’s School. She married LaVerne “Sonny” “Dutch” Van De Brake on August 5, 1961, in Cochrane, Wisconsin and to this union two children were born.

Etta worked as a cashier, homemaker, and then in production at Controlled Data for 25 years. After retiring from Controlled Data, she continued to work in production in several medical manufacturing companies.

She was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Balsam Lake where she enjoyed being involved in many different capacities.

She leaves to celebrate her memory, her children, Ed Van De Brake, Amery, WI; daughter, Vicky (Dale) Schramm, New Richmond, WI; grandchildren: Angel (Abel) Van De Brake-Galvan, Milliken, CO; Melissa (Justin) Benjamin, De Pere, WI; Christine Van De Brake, Oak Hills, CA; Amy Van De Brake (Mitch Wilson), Amery, WI; great-grandchildren: Anthony and A.J. Galvan, Kiarra and Nadyia Van De Brake, and Ava and Nicholas Edward Van De Brake-Roman and other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, LaVerne Van De Brake, brother, David Schwanke, and daughter-in-law, Melody Van De Brake.

The funeral service for Etta will be held on Friday, February 24, 2023, at 12 Noon at Faith Lutheran Church in Balsam Lake with a visitation at the church from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service. Pallbearers will be Mike Wood, Mitch Wilson, Justin Benjamin, and Abel Galvan. Please join the family for lunch in the church fellowship hall following the service.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.

Last Update: Feb 19, 2023 1:09 pm CST