IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Braugeor
Zeitler
June 3, 1937 – June 18, 2025
Obituary
In the early morning hours of Wednesday, June 18th, Braugeor Zeitler succumbed to his self-diagnosis of becoming an old geezer. He passed peacefully in his sleep, on his own terms, at home with Donna, his wife of nearly 59 years, daughter Jancee and son Bradon by his side.
Born in Sheboygan on June 3,1937 to Carola and Paul Zeitler, the small family would soon take up residence in Fond du Lac. Upon graduating Goodrich High School, he moved north to attend the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. His education was put on pause while he served his country with the Army National Guard. This took him out west to Fort Lewis, WA where he ended up playing tennis for his unit, go figure. After an honorable discharge, it was back to Oshkosh and university. Fast forward some years and he'd have a chance encounter with a stunning young woman, at Reeve Union on the campus of UW Oshkosh. In passing, he loudly exclaimed that her beautiful waist-long red hair would "look nice spread out across a pillow!" In utter horror and embarrassment, the young woman would never again set foot in the Union. Two years later their paths would cross again, she'd give him a second chance and obviously, it was meant to be as a wedding would take place just six months later. Once settled and established…eleven years later, two became three with the addition of a daughter and then three became four, three and a half years later when along came a son. After a long career of teaching and coaching, Pine River became the final destination for retirement. Braugeor lived a one-of-a-kind life, which is also the perfect way to describe his first name.
With his passing, the origin and long kept family secret will now be disclosed. The name "Braugeor" has remained an unspoken mystery to most everyone that ever met him. Upon introduction, did a selective speech impediment prevent the proper pronunciation of perhaps, "Roger"? Maybe a typo? Was he born in a foreign country? Would it be too far-fetched to assume the name was derived from a mystical creature, maybe a Greek or Roman God of mythology? I mean, the man did freakishly excel at absolutely everything he attempted. For example, he was a youth diving champion and a ping pong champion. In High school, he was not only an exceptional basketball player but was the star pitcher of a competitive adult men's softball league, leading his team to multiple championships. This, all while becoming a self-taught tennis prodigy, originally picking up a racket just to impress a girl. At one point, he nearly beat the 29 th ranked player in the United States. Inducted into the UW-Oshkosh Hall of Fame, he remains one of their greatest players in the history of UW-O men's tennis. He was then named to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) All-Time, All-Centennial Men's Tennis Team, celebrating the 100-year history of the conference. In addition to being extremely athletic, he was also insanely creative and a self-proclaimed "good" joke teller. He taught Art for over 35 years, beginning at South Park Middle School and then Oshkosh West High School. He'd coach both girls and boys tennis for over 31 years. His commitment to art and sport would have a sizable impact on thousands of impressionable students and athletes. He'd say one of the high points of his career was the opportunity to coach both his children in tennis, although they may remember things a little differently (just being facetious, dad). The tennis courts at West now bare the name, Braugeor Zeitler Tennis Center, a well-deserved honor after all the years of blood, sweat and tears the man put into the sport and local youth.
So, no, the name "Braugeor" did not arise from any special subject matter related to mythology, legend, folklore or fable. Still, its fruition did come together in its own unique way and here it goes…..
As a young girl, Braugeor's mother, was adopted by the Brauel family. Upon giving birth to her first child, a boy, she paid homage to her adoptive father, George Brauel, by creating a one-of a kind name in his honor.
And that is it. That is how simple this complicated name, that no one could pronounce came about.
Wherever Braugeor's spirit has taken him, Caleb, Fuzz, Bristol, Inka, Jorge, Amy and Max were surely there to greet him. His mother Carola, father Paul, stepfather Paul Ubbesen, brother-in-law Tom Field, in-laws Frank and Ruth Eisch, sister-in-law Holly Eisch and brother-in-law Tim Eisch were also there to welcome him.
In the end, he did not want a funeral, service or any special gathering. Instead, to honor his life he'd say, go out and play a round of tennis, tell a funny (or lame) joke or volunteer at a local animal rescue or shelter.
Surviving family include his wife Donna, daughter Jancee (Jim) Doemel, son Bradon, sister Polly Field, brother Mark Ubbesen, sister-in-law Julie Eisch, grandsons Jarrett and Janssen Doemel and his rescued, special needs sidekick that remained with him till the end, I-hop.
A very heartfelt and special thank you goes out to SSM Health at Home Hospice. Ashley, Joy & Ariel, your care and compassion made all the difference.
Born in Sheboygan on June 3,1937 to Carola and Paul Zeitler, the small family would soon take up residence in Fond du Lac. Upon graduating Goodrich High School, he moved north to attend the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. His education was put on pause while he served his country with the Army National Guard. This took him out west to Fort Lewis, WA where he ended up playing tennis for his unit, go figure. After an honorable discharge, it was back to Oshkosh and university. Fast forward some years and he'd have a chance encounter with a stunning young woman, at Reeve Union on the campus of UW Oshkosh. In passing, he loudly exclaimed that her beautiful waist-long red hair would "look nice spread out across a pillow!" In utter horror and embarrassment, the young woman would never again set foot in the Union. Two years later their paths would cross again, she'd give him a second chance and obviously, it was meant to be as a wedding would take place just six months later. Once settled and established…eleven years later, two became three with the addition of a daughter and then three became four, three and a half years later when along came a son. After a long career of teaching and coaching, Pine River became the final destination for retirement. Braugeor lived a one-of-a-kind life, which is also the perfect way to describe his first name.
With his passing, the origin and long kept family secret will now be disclosed. The name "Braugeor" has remained an unspoken mystery to most everyone that ever met him. Upon introduction, did a selective speech impediment prevent the proper pronunciation of perhaps, "Roger"? Maybe a typo? Was he born in a foreign country? Would it be too far-fetched to assume the name was derived from a mystical creature, maybe a Greek or Roman God of mythology? I mean, the man did freakishly excel at absolutely everything he attempted. For example, he was a youth diving champion and a ping pong champion. In High school, he was not only an exceptional basketball player but was the star pitcher of a competitive adult men's softball league, leading his team to multiple championships. This, all while becoming a self-taught tennis prodigy, originally picking up a racket just to impress a girl. At one point, he nearly beat the 29 th ranked player in the United States. Inducted into the UW-Oshkosh Hall of Fame, he remains one of their greatest players in the history of UW-O men's tennis. He was then named to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) All-Time, All-Centennial Men's Tennis Team, celebrating the 100-year history of the conference. In addition to being extremely athletic, he was also insanely creative and a self-proclaimed "good" joke teller. He taught Art for over 35 years, beginning at South Park Middle School and then Oshkosh West High School. He'd coach both girls and boys tennis for over 31 years. His commitment to art and sport would have a sizable impact on thousands of impressionable students and athletes. He'd say one of the high points of his career was the opportunity to coach both his children in tennis, although they may remember things a little differently (just being facetious, dad). The tennis courts at West now bare the name, Braugeor Zeitler Tennis Center, a well-deserved honor after all the years of blood, sweat and tears the man put into the sport and local youth.
So, no, the name "Braugeor" did not arise from any special subject matter related to mythology, legend, folklore or fable. Still, its fruition did come together in its own unique way and here it goes…..
As a young girl, Braugeor's mother, was adopted by the Brauel family. Upon giving birth to her first child, a boy, she paid homage to her adoptive father, George Brauel, by creating a one-of a kind name in his honor.
And that is it. That is how simple this complicated name, that no one could pronounce came about.
Wherever Braugeor's spirit has taken him, Caleb, Fuzz, Bristol, Inka, Jorge, Amy and Max were surely there to greet him. His mother Carola, father Paul, stepfather Paul Ubbesen, brother-in-law Tom Field, in-laws Frank and Ruth Eisch, sister-in-law Holly Eisch and brother-in-law Tim Eisch were also there to welcome him.
In the end, he did not want a funeral, service or any special gathering. Instead, to honor his life he'd say, go out and play a round of tennis, tell a funny (or lame) joke or volunteer at a local animal rescue or shelter.
Surviving family include his wife Donna, daughter Jancee (Jim) Doemel, son Bradon, sister Polly Field, brother Mark Ubbesen, sister-in-law Julie Eisch, grandsons Jarrett and Janssen Doemel and his rescued, special needs sidekick that remained with him till the end, I-hop.
A very heartfelt and special thank you goes out to SSM Health at Home Hospice. Ashley, Joy & Ariel, your care and compassion made all the difference.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Braugeor Zeitler, please visit our flower store.
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