Bradley K Brakke

Brad passed away peacefully April 5, 2014, in Kirkland, Washington, surrounded by loving family after an extended hospitalization. Brad was born January 31, 1950, in Sharon, ND, the son of the late Kordiea (Rue) and Thomas Brakke. He grew up on the family farm in Steele County and later bought a home in Aneta, ND. He graduated from Sharon High School in 1968 and Concordia College in Moorhead, MN in 1972 with a degree in Business Administration. Following college Brad returned to work on the family farm. On January 15, 2000, he married Vicki (Wheeler), a childhood companion, in Redmond, WA, at which time he began dividing his time between North Dakota during the farming season and Washington in the wintertime. He retired in 2011.

In his younger years, Brad enjoyed playing softball, basketball, and football. He travelled to various ski resorts for snow skiing and enjoyed water skiing particularly at a family lake cabin in Minnesota. Brad's greatest joy came from spending time with children, especially his niece and nephews and later his step grandchildren.

Brad was a lifelong member of Sundahl Lutheran Church in Aneta, ND, and attended Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church part time for the past 14 years. Brad was a Mason and past Grand Master of the Mayflower Lodge in Finley/Cooperstown, ND. He served on numerous boards and church councils in Aneta, including several years as president of the Aneta Parkview Health Center board.

Brad is survived by his wife, Vicki, of 14 years; his brother Tim Brakke; his sister Kari Headington; nephews Thomas and Peter Headington; niece Alanna Rerick and her 3 children; stepchildren Jeff Burns and Kari Stokes; 3 step grandchildren Tayla, Rylan and Joshua; uncle Miles Brakke; aunt Rose Rue; and numerous cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2014, at Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church in Sammamish, WA. A service will be held at a later date at Sundahl Lutheran Church in Aneta, ND. Memorials may be given to the Aneta City Park, in care of Cheryl Whitman, Aneta, ND, 58212.