Peggy Lee Brehm, age 77, passed away Thursday, August 13, 2026 in Baraboo, WI.

Born September 22, 1948 in Medford, WI, to Ewald George Wilhelm and Ruth Bertha (Werner) Frischman, Peggy was the youngest of three daughters. While she resided in Medford with her family, she grew up on her aunt and uncle’s dairy farm north of Medford. Her memories of those years and the close relationship she had with her aunt and cousin remained with her, her entire life. Peggy attended Immanuel Lutheran Schools in Medford and graduated from Medford High School in 1966.

Peggy met her husband, Mike Brehm, in high school while on a double date with a friend–though Mike was not Peggy’s date at the time! The two couples switched dates and found their happily ever afters. Mike and Peggy were married June 5, 1971 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Medford and were blessed with daughters, Michele, born while they resided briefly in Baraboo, WI, and Heidi, born in Marshfield, WI, where they built their home of 50 years.

A skilled seamstress, Peggy sewed much of her young daughters’ clothing, as well as doll clothes and quilts. She loved cross stitch and crochet, and spent hours gardening, pulling weeds and shooing away bunnies and deer who were equally grateful for her gardening skills. Her chocolate chip cookies were often requested…and no Christmas could be complete without the coveted spritz!

Peggy caught the travel bug in the late 1960s after two trips out west, first with high school friends, and then with her mom and aunt. She found a travel partner in Mike and once their girls turned six and ten, they packed up the car every summer and headed to a different part of the US, covering the lower 48 at least once, teaching their girls that the world was so much bigger than their backyard. After retirement, Peggy and Mike spent over a month driving to, and exploring Alaska. Peggy’s favorite place: the Grand Teton Mountains in WY.

Peggy is survived by her daughters Michele (Kent) Elliott of Deforest and Heidi (Jerad) Royal of Portage, four beloved grandchildren Ira Royal and William Royal of Portage, Morgan Elliott of Dalton, and Zachary Elliott of Deforest, and sister Betsy Widmer of Appleton. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Mike, and sister Joyce Balciar. The family thanks the staff of Oak Park Place-Autumn Lane in Baraboo as well as Bristol Hospice for always indulging Peggy’s sweet tooth and making her final journey the best it could be.

A service will be held at Christ Lutheran Church in Marshfield on Tuesday, August 25 with a visitation at 10am and service at 11am. A Celebration of Life will follow the service at the Soo Line Room of Wildwood Station located at Wildwood Park in Marshfield. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran Church or the Wildwood Park and Zoo. Kratz Funeral Home in Portage is serving the family.