“We have lived in Arizona for many years, but we return to Eau Claire every summer, and in recent years have been staying at Haymarket Landing,” Marie says. “There are quite a few units occupied by alumni ‘snowbirds’ like us. We love being there — it has truly been the perfect location for us.”
Active alumni year-round, the Braatzes are familiar faces among staff in the university’s Foundation and Alumni Association offices.
“Daryl and Marie are wonderful people who have a remarkable Blugold love story,” says Tim Skutley, development officer for the Foundation.
“Their love for each other, our campus and our current Blugold students is second to none. UW-Eau Claire is where it all began, and they continue to enjoy and support our campus and community. They put a smile on my face every time we visit each other.”
Knowing that they would be stopping by campus to take their annual anniversary photo at Schneider Hall, we took some time to catch up with the Braatzes to learn more about their love story and their deep community and campus connections.
From classmates to a 55th wedding anniversary
When they met that summer in 1968, Daryl was newly graduated from the College of Business and was the youngest MBA student in the class, a multilevel course that both he and Marie could take. The class was a few hours long, Daryl says, and included a short break every day.
“Marie and I started walking over to the Blugold Room in Davies Center for a Coke on our breaks,” Daryl says.
Marie says that by the end of the course, Daryl had worked up the courage to ask her on a date.
“After the final day of class, I was the last person to leave the room, and Daryl was waiting for me outside the door,” Marie says. “He asked if I wanted to go to a ‘Double Bubble’ hour at the Howard Johnson’s. Well, of course, I said yes — that was how it all started, 57 years ago.”
The couple were married in June 1970 and began 35- and 37-year high school business teaching careers, Marie in Colby and Daryl in Thorp.
Supporting students and FBLA from the start
Both Daryl and Marie began their strong ties with the Future Business Leaders of America in the early days of their teaching careers. Both saw immediately how the opportunities of the world’s largest business career organization could positively shape the futures of students living in rural Wisconsin, and they were “all in.”
“Everything about the program opened doors for the majority of our students, who had little if any exposure to the business world — most grew up on family farms,” Marie says.
The Braatzes saw growth in student confidence, public-speaking skills and overall interest in new things and new ideas.
“Even the regional competitions were eye-opening for some of our students, taking them to cities and towns in the Upper Midwest,” Daryl says. “And for those who went to nationals, for most it was their first time in any major city.
“For small-town kids, many who had never even been to Minneapolis, FBLA gave them exposure to places and ideas of careers they had never dreamed of. In fact, one former student, a dairy farm kid, just met us in Arizona recently. Before retiring, he was a chief financial officer for Starbucks. It’s very fun to stay in touch and see where all those kids ended up.”
It's not only the students that the Braatzes stay connected with, but also the organization. Daryl served a three-year term on the FBLA national board of directors, and the couple remain avid participants judging events and managing the merchandise shops at national competitions.
Loving residence hall life once again
Daryl and Marie say they thoroughly enjoy life at Haymarket Landing, agreeing that the location and accommodations are perfect for their lifestyle.
“From the furnishings being included, secure basement parking, the balcony with a view of the river and the kids on the splash pad — it’s all so convenient and fun,” Marie says.
The Braatzes’ unit is among 17 other units rented through the summer “Snowbird U” program. Their neighbors are Mayo Clinic Health System interns and some college students as well.
In keeping with their busy life in Arizona, Daryl and Marie have a full summer calendar of nearly daily meals or coffee dates with former colleagues or students, plus a regular schedule of local outdoor music events, consistent rides on the area bike trails, volunteer opportunities and activities with downtown churches.
As even the Foundation president Curt Krizan has noted, Daryl and Marie fully embrace their Blugold roots as summer residents, making their campus pride well known around town.
“Daryl and Marie are a special Blugold couple I’ve gotten to know over the past few summers at Haymarket Landing,” Krizan says. “It’s rare when you won’t see them around town sporting their Blugold attire. I know as they travel the world, they are true ambassadors for UWEC. “
As Marie says, “Eau Claire and the university have always been a central part of our lives, and spending our summers immersed in all things Eau Claire is something we deeply treasure.”
