WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Victoria Yvonne (Mandigo) Braquet, who lost her battle with Alzheimer’s Disease and departed this life on November 8, 2025 in Katy, TX at the age of 77. Victoria, known to friends and family as Vicki, was born on May 30th, 1948, in Sturgis, and throughout her life touched the hearts of all who knew her.
A Cherished Family Member, Vicki is survived by her children, E.J., Scott, and Nicole, her daughter-in-law Jessica, and her grandchildren, Nate, Maya, and Ryan as well as 3 of the 4 V’s, Virginia, Vaughn, and Valerie. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert and her parents, Fred & Phyllis.
A Life of Kindness and Achievement, Vicki will forever be remembered as “The Math Doctor” for her unwavering kindness, generosity, and dedication to the education of young people. She was born in Sturgis to Fred and Phyllis Mandigo on May 30, 1948, where she grew up around family and neighborhood friendships that lasted a lifetime. After graduating from Sturgis high school in 1966, she attended Central Michigan University until her graduation when she received a degree in mathematics. That is when she began her long teaching career starting at Flushing Junior High and finally retiring from Alief Taylor high school in 2007. She brought energy and insight into the teaching of mathematics and, armed with her signature lab coat and Mrs. B’s bucks, taught generations of students not only about math, but also about life and logical decision making. All of this created immense respect from her students and her co-workers alike, and in 2001 she was awarded the “Building Teacher of the Year” while she was at Hastings High School. After retirement, she continued to substitute teach and tutored even more students. It was her passion and her favorite pastime, other than her family.
After graduating from Central Michigan, Vicki married Gary Hostetler in 1972 and had two children, Scott in 1974 and Nicole in 1976. After they divorced in 1979, she remarried Bob Braquet. Bob and his son EJ completed the “Braquet Bunch”. They soon moved to Houston, TX, where they spent most of the next 40+ years raising children and fostering young minds. Vicki never lost touch with her ties to Sturgis and was always involved in planning and attending high school reunions. She loved her friends and family and always made it a priority to return to Michigan for visits. After her retirement, she had another full-time job caring for Bob as he had bouts with heart disease that resulted in amputations requiring some extra help that Vicki was happy to provide for the man she spent her life with. The only time she got distracted from her nursing duties was when her grandchildren were involved. Nate, Maya, and Ryan hung the moon for her, and she showered them with love any chance she got. Nana loved her grandkids so much. All her actions helped to teach her children to love fiercely, work hard, be compassionate, and accept others for who they are.
Vicki was the most loving, funny, responsible, and loyal person. Her family and friends were blessed to have been in her circle, and she was tireless in making sure they all knew how much they were loved. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Honoring her Legacy, A funeral service will be held on Saturday December 20th, 2025, at the Grand Lakes Presbyterian Church, 6035 S Fry Rd. Katy, TX 77450 at 1 pm. The family welcomes visitation at the church before and after the service. Friends and family are invited to attend and share memories of Vicki. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Foundation (alzfdn.org) in memory of Victoria Yvonne Braquet.
