Marion Bracht
Alton | Save
Marion Elizabeth Bracht, 108, of Alton, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home on August 31, 2025. Born March 4, 1917, to Loren and Pearl Bothwell of Gilmore City, Iowa, Marion’s life spanned more than a century of remarkable change. She lived with resilience and grace through two World Wars, the Great Depression, Prohibition, women’s suffrage, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and many more historical events.
She graduated from Gilmore City High School in 1935, where she played on the girls’ basketball and softball teams. In 1942, she moved to Alton, Illinois, and worked at Sears and Roebuck in the warehouse and catalog department before beginning a position at Olin Glassworks as an accounting clerk, where she remained until 1955.
In 1943, Marion met her future husband, Louis Bracht, on a blind date at a bowling alley on Broadway in Alton. They married on June 8, 1945, at the Evangelical and Reformed Church on 8th and Henry. Together, they built a life rooted in faith, family, and community.
Marion was a dedicated member of the Evangelical United Church of Christ in Godfrey since 1963 where she taught Sunday school. She served as both a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader and spent countless hours caring for neighborhood children as a trusted babysitter. She was a lifelong member of The Royal Neighbors and the VFW Auxiliary.
For 62 years, she lived in the same home in Alton, surrounded by neighbors who became family, including Christy Holt and family, Nita Eaks, Brad and Jan Copeland, and Helen Fulks.
Marion found joy in life’s simple pleasures-watching birds from her living room window, planting flowers, picking up sticks in her yard, and baking cookies for loved ones. She was especially known for her homemade chicken and noodle soup. Sweet yet stubborn, she embodied perseverance and independence. Even after giving up driving, she was determined to walk more than a mile to the grocery store on her own.
She is survived by her three children: Marcia Haun, Michael Bracht (Jane), and Mark Bracht (Debbie Spurgeon); six grandchildren: Travis Haun (Danielle), Michael Bracht II, Lucy Burch (Alex), Jimmy Bracht, Andrew Bracht, and Brendan Bracht (Chelsea); seven great-grandchildren: Quade and Sawyer Haun, Charlotte, Joseph, and David Burch, and Bennett and Blakely Bracht; sister-in-law Bonnie Bothwell and her children Patricia, Marsha, Rob, Jim, Tom, Michelle, and Mary; and nieces Regina Bracht and Carol Kolbeck. She was preceded in death by her parents Loren and Pearl Bothwell; husband, Louis Bracht; brother Robert Bothwell; two grandchildren, Anthony Haun and Amy Bracht; and many beloved family members and friends.
A celebration of Marion’s life will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025 at Elias, Kallal, & Schaff Funeral Home, 1313 W Delmar Ave in Godfrey, Illinois. Visitation begins at 10am followed by a funeral service at 1pm. Service will be officiated by Pastor Tim Darmour-Paul of Evangelical United Church of Christ in Godfrey. In honor of Marion’s love for life, flowers, and birds, the family requests guests wear bright colors. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the H.I.S Ministry or Radio Fund of Evangelical United Church of Christ of Godfrey, Il.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the entire OSF Hospice team for the loving care Marion received during her final weeks.
Marion’s legacy is one of strength, kindness, and devotion to those around her. She leaves behind a family deeply grateful for her long life, her love, and the countless memories she created.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
