Margaret “Marge” Rose (nee Hodgetts) Brauer, passed away surrounded by numerous family members and great friends, on July 27, 2026 after Courageously battling Leiomyosarcoma cancer starting in one organ, continuing the battle as it moved to other organs and her lungs for over 7 years, so she could continue to see and be with her growing grandchildren, and family and friends, as much as possible.

Marge, as a Ball State trained teacher, was a strong advocate for the educating of anyone who would listen, about cancer awareness, especially those with newly diagnosed cases about patient choices, as well as having frank discussions with your doctors and surgeons as they received treatments. She was a member and co-administrator of a handful of cancer advocacy groups. Please go to lmsdr.org for more information and/or in lieu of flowers, to donate and help the research that is ongoing!

Marge also wanted to thank The Cancer Resource Center, in Munster, for their many programs to help, while you are dealing with cancer, from education to exercise and just someone “like you” to have conversations with!! Last, Thank You to the handful of pioneering, skilled surgeons, like Dr. Sameer Sharma from Chicago, and Dr Jason Frazier, that have opened part-time offices in North West Indiana, bringing much needed knowledge and skills with them, and Thank You to Dr. Mohamad Kassar, and everyone at the Northwest Cancer Center, in Dyer for providing a state of the art facility which now allows all of us to get even more choices and expertise, without the added, sometimes painful driving times going to Chicago. Finally, Dr Wassim Shwaiki, Marge’s Pulmonologist, who couldn’t so no to her and answered every question walking around with his laptop in hand every time!

Margaret, was born on July 13, 1955, to Wayne, Sr. and Marguerite Hodgetts, and grew up between Dolton, IL and Highland IN with her siblings, Debra, Wayne Jr. and Pamela. Margaret was preceded in death by her father, Wayne Sr.; and Sister, Debra. Margaret was a graduate of Highland High School and Ball State University, Muncie Indiana. Margaret was married on May 21, 1983 to Roland Brauer, Jr. Margaret will be missed by two sons, Roland Brauer III and Matthew Brauer; 3 grandsons, Roland (Leland) Brauer IV, Lucas Brauer and Milo Brauer; and 1 Granddaughter, Haley Brauer. Margaret will also be missed by her mother, Marguerite “Peggy”; brother, Wayne (wife Fran); sister, Pam Keene (husband Rick); numerous nieces and nephews; and former daughters in law, Danni Brauer and Andrea Brauer.

With her degree from Ball State, Margaret taught special education at New Hope in Dolton, IL at first then moving to Schererville to teach preschool at the Child Enrichment Center. After having and raising her two boys, Marge opened her own personalization/memorabilia business in the old courthouse Shoppe’s in Crown Point called Memory Keepers, which she grew into a store front on Main St. for many years, until her cancer was discovered. She made the difficult decision to leave many customers who had become good friends in order to fight the cancer and advocate for cancer awareness.

Marge very much enjoyed her summer vacations with her boys to Hackensack, MN to see her retired parents, and the countdown to next year’s trip started the first day back in Indiana each year!

Visitation will be at Kish Funeral Home 10000 Calumet Ave. Munster, IN. on Monday, August 3, 2026 from 4PM to 8PM, and again on Tuesday, at the church from 9:30AM until the 10AM service. Funeral Services will be held DIRECTLY at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 8601 Harrison Ave. Munster, IN  on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 10AM with a procession to follow to Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens Crown Point, IN.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Margaret "Marge" Rose Brauer, please visit our Tribute Store.