Timothy D. "Tim" Braatz

Timothy D. Braatz, 60 of Rochester, passed away unexpectedly at his residence on June 9, 2025 following a medical emergency. Tim was born on November 1, 1964 in Rochester to Kenneth and Sandra (Boyce) Braatz. He graduated from John Marshall High School 1983. He then graduated from Winona State University with a Paralegal degree in 1987. For a time after graduation, he worked as a Paralegal in the Twin Cities before moving to Maryland and working as a private investigator. In 1994, he started his own business, Atlas Investigations, in Rochester, which he owned and operated until his passing. On April 10, 1999, he married Mary Ellen Wobbe in Rochester at Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church. Tim was a proud member of Intellenet (World Private Investigator Network), International and MN Chapter of Arson Investigators, International Marine Investigators, International and Midwest Auto Theft Investigators, National and Twin Cities Certified Fraud Examiners, Midwest Insurance Fraud Investigators, and the MN, WI, IA Private Investigators Association. Tim was known as "the guy who knows everybody". He was a successful business owner who truly listened to people. He wanted to know everyone's life story. He enjoyed auto racing, rock concerts, everything motorsports, traveling, food and wine events (especially Octoberfest), watching professional hockey, collectibles, and being around people in general. He is survived by his wife Mary of Rochester, his father Kenneth (Patricia) of Rochester, his mother Sandra Erickson of Rochester, brothers-in-law Joe (Sue) Wobbe, Mike (Kim) Wobbe, David Wobbe, Jim Wobbe, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A Celebration of Life Luncheon for Tim will be held at 12:00PM in the River Park Reception Hall at Macken Funeral Home (1119 11 1/2 Street St. SE Rochester, MN 55904) on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Visitation prior to the luncheon will begin 10:30AM in the lunch hall. A time-of-remembrance is planned. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfunerhome.com