Elizabeth (Beth) Marie Bragg, 19, of Monticello, died suddenly in a house explosion on Saturday, December 30, 2023. She was a recent graduate of Monticello High School and a freshman at the University of Arkansas. She was in band and 4-H and learning beekeeping. She had considered studying medicine but was too soft-hearted to see blood. She changed her focus to Child Psychology. This fits well with her love of children; Miss Beth will be remembered as the beloved babysitter of several little ones.
Beth’s family was close-knit and busy. Over the years Beth traveled with her parents and brothers all over the country as her dad did his forestry work and the whole family engaged in their passion for archeology. She was the apple of her father’s eye. They worked on digs together, visited historical sites, and made educational trips to state and national parks. The whole family made many friends along the way. Beth was instilled with a work ethic, sense of adventure, and confidence. She added to that a formidable devotion to friends (and cats). Beth was amazing. When her grandparents in Wisconsin had health problems, Beth stayed with them six weeks and handled the caregiver role with maturity beyond her years.
Joined in death by her mother, Hope; father, Don; and brother, Kenny, who all died in the same house explosion, she is preceded in death by her grandmother Ann Pruden.
Beth is survived by her brother Stephen; grandfather (Bumpa) Rick Pruden of Whitmore Lake, Mich.; grandparents Don and Rose Bragg of Rhinelander, Wisc.; aunts Lisa Bragg-Hurlburt of Eau Claire (Jon Hurlburt of Colfax) and Laurie Bragg-Valaskey (Mark Valaskey) of Cross Plains, Wisc.; uncle Bob Bragg (Nancy Hopkins) of Sun Prairie, Wisc.; uncle John Bragg (Jim Houzner) of Jersey City, N.J.; and uncle Bill Bragg (Maiko Chu) of Bradenton, Fla.; cousins Michael Hurlburt, David Hurlburt (Shyla), Jonathan Hurlburt (Alicia), Emma Hurlburt (Forrest), Leila Hurlburt and Susan Johnston (Jay); and many dear friends.
Visitation and service information can be found in the obituary for Don Bragg.
