Gwenn Bray
Gwenn A. Bray, 85, of Waukon died Saturday, April 18, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Graveside services were held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Waukon with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. Condolences can be sent to Dr. Bruce Bray at N 4811 Rainbow Drive, Spooner, WI 54801.
Gwenn Anna Bray was born November 9, 1934 in Defiance, OH, the daughter of John and Rosemary (Ryder) Grogg. She grew up in Garrett, IN and after graduating from high school, Gwenn attended St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Evanston, IL. In 1955, she graduated as a registered nurse.
During her student nurse training, Gwenn met Dr. Louis Bertrand Bray during his last year of medical school at Loyola University in Chicago, IL. Louis and Gwenn were married in Gwenn’s hometown of Garrett, IN July 14, 1956. They spent two years (1957-1959) at Stead Air Force Base in Reno, NV, where Lou practiced medicine in the Air Force. Following Lou’s Air Force commitment, Gwenn and Lou settled in Waukon, where they raised four children and Lou practiced medicine.
Gwenn was very involved in the Waukon community. She was honored by the Iowa governor for her 35-plus years of volunteering at St. Patrick Catholic School. Gwenn was an active member and volunteer at St. Patrick Catholic Church and also volunteered at Veterans Memorial Hospital. She loved her grandchildren and especially enjoyed playing games, crafts, watching movies and baking with them.
Gwenn was an avid bridge player and played in local bridge clubs. She loved decorating for holidays, collecting antiques and anything to do with chickens, West Highland White Terriers, gardening, and morel mushroom hunting on the family farm. Gwenn spent many happy days fishing and waterskiing at their cabin on the Mississippi River and at their cottage on the Chain O’ Lakes in Waupaca, WI with family and friends. Gwenn also traveled to six of the seven continents.
Survivors include three sons: Dr. Bruce (Dr. Laura) of Spooner, WI, Dr. Brian (Dr. Leslie) of Graham, NC and Blake (Patricia) of Green Bay, WI; eight grandchildren: Amy (Cody) May, Phillip (Clare), Scott, Casey (David Myers), Rosy (James Kennelly), Lexie (Kendall) Hamm, Julie and Ben; one great-grandchild, Fredrik Louis May; one sister, Gail (Dennis) Porter of Rockaway Beach, OR; and her West Highland White Terrier, Daisy. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dr. Louis Bray; and her daughter, Betsy Anne Bray.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
