DEVIL'S LAKE, ND: Margaret Gatch Braunagel, wife of the late Nicholas A. Braunagel, went to her eternal rest on January 1, 2017 in Devil's Lake, North Dakota. She was 105 years old.

Margaret was born in Round O, a daughter of the late Lemuel and Rebecca Gatch. She lost her hearing at the age of 3 from a chronic ear infection that in today's world could be easily treated. Nevertheless she had a wonderful childhood full of love and attention from her family. She attended the South Carolina School for the Deaf, and later met her future husband, who was a professor there. He too suffered the same illness at the age of 5, and was also totally deaf. She had two sons, and in 1942 they moved to her husband's home state of North Dakota so that he could teach at the North Dakota School for the Deaf. Margaret spent her life raising her sons. She was always kind, caring and loving to them and they viewed her as the perfect mother. Margaret was a beautiful lady…and also a beautiful person. She focused on her family's well-being and made sure her sons received a proper education. They both graduated from Jamestown University.


Her son Patrick N. Braunagel lives in Redding, California. Her husband Nicholas passed away in 1973, and her son Lemuel A. "Tony" Braunagel passed away in 2013.

Margaret was brought back to her home and was buried on January 6, 2017 beside her late husband at the Gatch Family Cemetery in Round O…less than 100 yards from the home in which she was raised. A memorial service is planned for April 8, 2017. Further details will be announced later. Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home of Walterboro is in charge of arrangements.