Tammy Leigh Brateng

Tammy Leigh (Hites) Brateng, of Roseau, passed away at LifeCare Medical Center on February 29th, 2024 after a 7 month battle with cancer. She was only 61 years of age. 

Tammy was born on July 8th, 1962 to Randolph “Randy” and Mariannette “Tootsie” (Wysocki) Hites in Roseau, Minnesota. Tammy grew up with her siblings and cousins in Roseau, and graduated from Roseau High School in 1980.

On September 11th, 1982, Tammy married Wayne Brateng at the Moe Lutheran Church in Roseau. Together they raised two children: Anthony and Ashley. 

Tammy’s favorite times were at the lake. She and Wayne spent several summers at Buffalo Bay campground prior to purchasing their lake cabin on Birch Beach in 2020. She enjoyed her lake time with Wayne and friends, but was especially happy when her kids and grandkids would join.

She worked various jobs throughout her life, including at Red Owl and Jakes’s Pizza. Tammy most recently worked for 10 years as a Paraprofessional at the Roseau Elementary School. She was proud to be a part of her grandkids early school years. Her patience and kindness were highlighted in her work with her students. 

In her spare time, she enjoyed quilting and other sewing crafts. She learned these skills later in life, and loved to share with others, including her sisters, daughters and granddaughters. She made many new friends through quilting and was a member of the Roseau Area Quilt Guild. 

Tammy had a giving heart. She and others hosted weekly bingo for residents of the LifeCare Greenbush Manor for a number of years during and after the time her Grandma lived there. Each Christmas she donated quilts for patients of the Infusion Therapy department at LifeCare Medical Center in honor of her late Mother. Every Kindergarten student received a homemade “neckie” from Tammy during her tenure at the school. These are just a few of the ways she displayed her love for others. 

Tammy is survived by her devoted husband of 41 years, Wayne; their children, Anthony (Amy) Brateng and Ashley (Jon) Hellerup, all of Roseau. Her beloved grandchildren: Lauren, Evan, Solvej, Megan and Freja. Her siblings, Terry Kolden of Grand Forks, ND; Todd (Karena McCool) Hites of Roseau; and Teresa (Scott Johnson) Hites of Badger, MN; brother-in-law, Bob (Peg) Brateng of St. Joseph, MN; sister-in-law, Lynette Brateng-Englund of Warroad, MN; brother-in-law Elvin Heddan of Warroad. Step-father, Lloyd Foster of Roseau; along with aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; mother and father-in-law, Ernest and Adeline Brateng; brother-in-law, Don Brateng; and sister-in-law, Bonnie Heddan. 

A Memorial Service for Tammy Brateng of Roseau will take place on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at Moe Lutheran Church in Roseau at 11:00am with a visitation an hour prior. Interment will be held at a later date at Golden Valley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to:

"LifeCare Roseau County Cancer Fund": 715 Delmore Dr, Roseau, MN 56751

“The Hand I Was Dealt” Cancer Foundation: 601 Main St S, Roseau, MN 56732

"Trails to Treatment": PO Box 161, Middle River, MN 56737

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