Alan Howard Bratberg, 53, of Trempealeau, died suddenly of a cardiac arrest while sleeping at his home in Trempealeau, Wisconsin on May 29, 2015. Alan was born on June 15, 1961 in Decorah, Iowa to Wayne and Garnet (Backus) Bratberg. His family moved to the Bratberg Farm on Long Coulee Road in 1963.  Alan attended school in Holmen, Wisconsin, until his high school graduation in 1979. He attended the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse earning a degree in Education in 1986. He continued taking classes throughout his career and earned his master’s degree in 2009.

Alan began teaching in Dade City, Florida.  A year later he returned to Wisconsin to teach 8^th Grade Science for the Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau school district. For the last twenty-seven years he joyfully brought hands-on science to hundreds of students. Alan married his high school sweetheart, Tammi Drugan, in 1983. Sadly, Tammi passed away in 1988. Her mother, Donna Drugan, also preceded Alan in death in 2014. Alan and Jill Jacobson were married on March 31, 2001. In 2004, they were blessed with the birth of triplets: Kayli, Boden, and Avali who have provided countless hours of joy and happiness to their parents, family, and friends. Alan is survived by his loving wife, Jill, and the triplets as well as his parents, Wayne and Garnet Bratberg. He is also survived by his siblings Jay (Debra) Bratberg and David (Diane Osley)Bratberg. He will be missed by his nieces Kaytlyn (Brandon Beilke) Bratberg and Lyndsey Bratberg. He is survived by his mother-in-law Patte Jacobson, father-in-law Bob (Joni) Jacobson and Kent Drugan. His brother-in-laws, Tom and Steve Koch, also survive him. Alan is also endeared by many aunts, uncles and cousins who cherish their time spent with him and savor the laughter and lasting memories that were created.

Al was a man of unique and unmatched character.

While great character is revered by many, it’s achieved by few.  Al was one of those few.  He championed true kindness and perpetual happiness.  He fostered his countless friendships with deep joy and reliable commitment.  If you were his friend, you felt lucky.  Harsh words were not a part of Al’s vocabulary, or tolerance.  He always found what was good in people and would walk away from chatter that was not positive.  Just being around him made you a better person.

His contributions to this world were infinite.  Thousands of students had the benefit of being mentored in the marvels of science by this enthusiast teacher.   His jovial personality greeted hundreds of co-workers in the school halls of Trempealeau during his 28 years of educational services.

Yes, Al was a man of unique character.  But let us not forget:  Al was a character!  Co-workers waited in anticipation to see which Goodwill ensemble he’d sport for parent’s night.  A remembered grouping was a Catfish tee shirt, tweed jacket, jean shorts and socks with sandals, replete with a Big Al smile.

While his friends and school community meant the world to him, his family was his universe.  He was a shining example of a devoted son and brother and a true favorite of all extended family members.  But his inner-most beauty beamed brightest when in the presence of his loving wife and cherished triplets, endearingly referred to as “The Trio”.  It was easy for him to relate to his kids because Al was a kid at heart himself.  He was the first to belly-flop into the pool or to romp on the trampoline or to entertain the possibilities of flying the remote plane across the back yard with the Sand Hill cranes.  Al never missed the chance of sharing the wonders of birds, or anything science related, with The Trio.  At bedtime, he was guilty of keeping the kids up too late, too often by playing “Tell me something I don’t know.” He’d answer any question posed by the kids, often times in great length, much to Jill’s chagrin.

Being outdoors, especially on the water, was Al’s most treasured location.  Just days ago, while paddling the canoes with family and friends, he looked out and said:  “This is a little slice of Heaven.”

Visitation will be held from 4:30 pm until 8:30 pm on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at the Trempealeau Elementary School Gymnasium.  A Celebration of Alan’s life will be held from 2:30 pm until 5:30 pm on Friday, June 5, 2015 at Drugan’s Castle Mound, W7665 Sylvester Rd, Holmen, with a small memorial service from 4:30 until 5:30 on Friday also at Drugan’s.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.