Lee Braasch

Leona “Lee” Helen Sedlacek, the second daughter of John J. and Hedvika (Cernohlavek) Sedlacek, was born on the family farm near David City, NE on March 9, 1929. She enjoyed the farm but often recalled how much work it required. She was baptized at home into the Methodist Church of Brainard, NE. She attended Yanka Country School and during inclement weather, she was taken to school by horse and wagon. In the fourth grade, she transferred to Brainard Public School and then graduated from Brainard High School in 1946. After graduation, she attended the Lincoln School of Commerce attaining a Secretarial Certificate. Upon graduation she worked at Dorsey Labs in Lincoln for two years as a secretary.

On February 6, 1949, she was united in marriage to Alan L. Berggren in David City. They lived on a farm near Stromsburg and had four sons: Greg Alan, Ryan Lewis, Michael John and Todd David. She was a homemaker until 1962 when she started working as a bookkeeper at the Farmers Co-op in Stromsburg and later the co-op in Benedict, from which she retired after 30 years.

In January 1982 she married Robert R. Braasch at the York Methodist Church. With this union she gained three step-children: Bradley, Bryson and Tara. Bob and Lee traveled extensively as they enjoyed their life together. Bob passed away in November of 1998 and Lee moved back to Stromsburg to be near family in 1999.

She was an avid Husker fan with football being her favorite. She attended the games in Lincoln and went to many out-of-state games. When her health kept her home, she enjoyed watching the games so she could see each and every play in detail. She enjoyed collecting dolls and had a large assortment that decorated every place she lived. She loved to garden and watch the birds at her bird feeders, especially the Orioles. She loved to socialize with her many friends and host family gatherings, at which she often served homemade kolaches, ostkaka and her famous sour cream raisin pie. She was an avid reader and enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles. She loved playing card games, having coffee with friends and traveling (she traveled to all 50 US states and many countries). She was a joy to be around, and her frequent laughs were always welcome in the conversation.

She was a member of Green Chapel Church and later the Stromsburg Methodist Church. She enjoyed being active in her community, and was a member of the Women’s Society, American Legion Auxiliary (for 75+ years), Chapter AR P.E.O. (50-year member), Naphis Temple #66 of Lincoln, Meridian Nile Club of York, York Friendship Club, secretary of Res-Q-Shoppe in Stromsburg and secretary of Stromsburg Senior Center.

Lee is survived by her children: Greg and Jan Berggren of Bradshaw, Ryan and Deb Berggren of Stromsburg, Michael and Judy Berggren of Lincoln, and daughterin- law Margie Berggren of Stromsburg; ten grandchildren: Eric and Joann Berggren of Gretna, Neal and Maureen Berggren of Maple Grove, MN, Jeff andAmanda Berggren of Osceola, Mark and Amy Berggren of Lincoln, Christopher Berggren of Lincoln, Ellen and Savio Camara of Ankeny, IA, Ben and Christy Berggren of Stromsburg, Jared and Nikki Berggren of Kearney, Mickey and Krystal Berggren of Stromsburg, Mallory and Chase Kumpf of Osceola; 19 great-grandchildren: Ross and Carl Berggren, Sidney Berggren, Madysen and Carter Berggren, Lincoln and Evelen Berggren, Lila, Sasha and Luca Camara, Lucy, Jed, Bode and Gage Berggren, Brynlee and Collin Berggren, Piyper and Ryker Berggren, and Baili Kumpf; two great-great-grandchildren: Wrenlee and Islee Berggren; three step-children: Dr. Bradley and Diane Braasch, Bryson and Terri Braasch and Tom and Tara Ritacco; six step-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bob Braasch, son Todd Berggren, her parents John and Hedvika Sedlacek, two brothers, John Jr. and Stanley Sedlacek, sister Georgia Sedlacek, two sisters-in-law Dorothy Sedlack and Wilma Berggren and one brotherin-law Brooke Berggren.

There will be no visitation service. Memorial services will be held at the Stromsburg United Methodist Church at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026 with Pastor Mary Scott and Pastor Leonard Suhr officiating. Private family inurnment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery, York.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date.

Dubas Funeral Home of Stromsburg and Osceola has been entrusted with arrangements. Dubasfuneralhome. com