Cheryl Bragger

Cheryl Marie (Halvorson) Bragger, age 83, of Independence, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at Pigeon Falls Health Care Center after a long fulfilling life and a short time on hospice. She spent the morning with Mary, Evelyn and Johann listening to her favorite music: the entire Once Upon a Christmas collaborative studio album by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton.

She was born on April 11, 1943 in the City of Whitehall, Trempealeau County, WI. She is the oldest of five children born to the late Ernest and Elaine (Steen) Halvorson. Cheryl was baptized at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Whitehall and then attended Montana United Methodist Church, where she was Confirmed. Later, as they became more involved in the Independence community, Wisi and Cheryl and their family joined the Independence Evangelical Lutheran Church in Independence, Wisconsin.

As a child, Cheryl went to school in Whitehall where she remembered having the great honor of being chosen to be a crossing guard. After moving to the Waumandee Valley, she attended one-room rural school houses, most likely in Danuzer Valley. She later attended Arcadia High School where she enjoyed acting, home economics, writing, and singing. Upon graduation, Cheryl attended Winona Technical College to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. While living on the family farm in Buell's Valley near Waumandee, she met Josef "Wisi" Bragger, who worked on the neighbor's farm. Wisi became her devoted and loving husband on October 10, 1964 at Montana United Methodist Church near Waumandee. To this beloved union, five children were born.

Together, Cheryl and Wisi lived in a starter home in Whitehall near both their jobs; Cheryl worked at the Clinic for Dr. Hanley and Wisi worked at Whitehall Packing as a de-boner. Then they began to work their farm in Traverse Valley. Together they worked hard to create Little Toggenburg, USA, by adding land from neighboring farms as the plots came up for sale. Cheryl enjoyed being a farm wife and mother, providing a secure and loving home.-

Being steadfast in her faith, Cheryl was committed to instilling values of love and respect for faith, family, friends and farming to their children and grandchildren. One way she did this was by being an amazing hostess who opened and truly welcomed many friends and family into her home for a good old-fashioned farm meal throughout the years. She loved organizing family reunions and having the children perform at them, as well as Sunday school pageants.

Wisi preceded Cheryl in death on March 3, 2008. Cheryl was a faithful parishioner of Independence Lutheran Church, where she co-chaired the WELCA group for decades. Even though her life was dedicated to family and farming, she did find time to serve in several capacities for 19 years on the Independence Public School Board of Education. She also went back to school at the local technical college to study computers and secretarial skills and worked as the Literacy Volunteers of America Coordinator for Trempealeau County for several years until her retirement.

Cheryl will be missed by her children: Melinda (James) Gruenhagen of Tombstone, AZ; Heidi (Michael "Mick" Kadinger) of Town of Arcadia; Mary (George) Gierok of Town of Burnside; Katrina (Jerry) Roeckers of Holmen; and Johann (Shannon) of Town of Burnside.

Her surviving grandchildren include: Darryl (Samantha), Darryllynn (Cody), Aaron (Darby), Jorgiann (Kory), Mason (Sommer), Owen, Alois, Wesley, Gavin (Alyssa), Andrew, Jessica, Joe, Jenna and Chantel; great grandchildren: Grace, Abby, Evelyn, Aria, Sonya, Freya, Matthias, Opal, Kennedy, Mirranda (Lance), Amelia (Drew); and great-great grandchild: Owen; siblings: Carol (Tom) Krueser, Connie (Agnes Halama) Halvorson; Claire Halvorson; Craig (Cindy) Halvorson; her Godchildren: Anne Marie (McDevitt) Velte, Craig Halvorson, Jr., Ericka Fankhauser-Sobotta; and nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and her special companions.

Besides her parents, Cheryl was preceded in death by her husband, Wisi, grandson Samuel, and nephew Cole.

Memorial service will be held at 11 AM, Thursday, September 3, 2026 at Edison Funeral Home with Heidi Bragger, as Celebrant. Cheryl is being cremated, per her wishes, and family will lay her ashes to rest with her husband's in a private ceremony at a later date. Family and friends are welcome to come to the Funeral Home for visitation from 9 AM until the time of the service..

For local floral orders, please contact Liberty Floral in Independence at 715-985-3615.