Bradley D. Steely
September 11, 1953 ~ September 29, 2012
Beloved Companion,Son, Brother, age 59 of Apple Valley, passed away unexpectedly Sept. 29, 2012. Bradley will be deeply missed by his loving companion of 12 years, Myrna; her children Sean and Leslie (Paul Smithson); granddaughter Sanna Smithson; parents Don and Bea; siblings Chris, Wendi (Tom Barmettler), Ted (Barb); niece Christina (Dan) Johnson; great nieces nephew Frankie, Cierrah, Ethan; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Brad grew up in Forest Lake, MN, the eldest of four siblings and always said he had a great childhood; playing at his grandparents house near Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area, he knew the best place for any child is in the woods. Playing sports with his dad made him a life-long sports fan and he even kept a mental stats record in his head of his imaginary baseball league. That eventually translated to a gift for math and the thought that he might like engineering, like his uncle. He went to the University of Minnesota but found himself following his heart, moving to California with his wife, Julie. Brad became quite successful for many years in the lumber business; managing large truss plants, first in California and then, after a divorce, in North Carolina. He had a quick mind, a compassionate soul and a big heart and was always ready with the right thing to say. And while those were his strengths, he struggled for many years with health problems and, realizing the best place to be for the big issues was with family, he moved back to Minnesota, where he met Myrna and they began a life together. He met the challenge of leaving the lumber business with new computer skills and enjoyed work as an engineering technician, but his greatest asset was his wonderful people skills on the job sites as a construction observer. The best of both worlds, he often said; inside in the winter and outdoors all summer. Family was extremely important to Brad and he widened the circle of extended family to become comfortably a part of Myrnas family, who all loved him very much. Not having had children of his own, he quickly came to enjoy being a surrogate dad to her grown children, Sean and Leslie, but often said the brightest experience of this time in life was being a grandfather to Sanna, whom he adored. Brad was a modern-day renaissance man with a great many interests. He delighted in the beauty of the natural world and inspired others to do the same. Keeping his feet firmly in this world, he never-the-less enjoyed an endless fascination with our galaxy- probably the result of being a big science-fiction buff. He found space exploration a very hopeful thing, and the stars became, for him, a deepening spiritual experience. He was a voracious reader who taught himself not only about outer space and the future, but of history and the past, especially the Civil War era. Each year for winter reading he chose a biography of a different president or founding father and had read most of them. He also devoured sports books and biographies and could rattle off statistics on most games, especially his beloved Minnesota Twins. The highlights of each year included canoeing at Sand Lake with Myrnas family, the annual Blues Festival in Duluth and fishing - on sparkling lakes in the summer and deep hard ice in the winter, and he looked forward to sharing that love with Sanna. As much as Brad loved fishing, he was equally happy in the kitchen, pouring over cookbooks and enhancing recipes with his own flare and style. He was ecstatic when he finally mastered the art of comfortably flinging herbs and spices, like they do on the Food Network, to which he was fairly addicted. But his passion was music - particularly the Beatles and Bruce Springsteen - a passion planted and nurtured by his cousin Barry and which grew to encompass most genres and anything that was heard live. His health was not the best recently, but everyday at 5 pm hed turn on the music - volume set at earsplitting levels, got out the pots and pans, and cutting board and came instantly alive. Most often a quiet person, he could talk knowledgeably with anyone on most topics and was a great listener. He was kind, compassionate and loving and will be missed by everyone who knew him. But, as he looked to the stars for renewal, we will look to them and remember Brad. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 6th at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 SW Centennial Drive, with a gathering beginning at 10 AM until time of service. A star shining in the universe - thats what you are.
I met Bradley for 13 years ago, I was visiting him and his kinsfolk for one month. He was a very kind and honest man, I liked his personality, allways happy.
It must be that way, because Im sitting here 13 years after we met, with tears in my eyes and writing. He made a very good impression on me!
Rest in peace Brad, it was an honor to learn to know you!
I will always miss dreaming my dreams with you.
Brad
Remember the day we spent in Armstrong Woods? We both marveled at how small we were beside those majestic monsters. When I go to see God I will tell him how you showed his great handiwork. Even though I was 10 years older than you when I first met you I felt your friendship. We will meet again.
I worked with Brad for many years at the lumber company in Healdsburg, CA. back in the 80’s and early 90’s. He was always so easy going and fun, and in spite of the many different personalities that worked there, he got along with everyone – truly a rare gift. Brad was kind, easy to talk to and one of the best listeners I’ve ever met – another rare quality.
I was so sad to hear of his passing and my heart aches for his family and friends.
I met Brad when I started work as City Clerk in Elko, MN. He was the City Engineer provided by Bolton & Menk. Besides working together, we became fast friends. Unfortunately, later he had to move on to work with another town, but we remained friends. I know how happy he was when Myrna came into his life and I know how much he loved and appreciated his parents and his cousin, Mark. I also remember all the stories about his fun baseball road trips with his sister. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Brad loved you all and even though he has passed before you, he will always be with you. He was a wonderful man!!
I met Brad & his wife Julie as neighbors in Boyes Hot Springs, CA in the mid 70’s. Our love of somewhat “loud” rock & roll music brought us together for a beer and long friendship.
We both had cats (his Flakestone) and mine (Jasper). We also frequented a funky mexican restaurant, The Oaktree. Many fine times were had there.
His friendly ways always made our gathering of our secret society (The Werewolves of Sonoma) a enjoyable affair. It was just a small gathering of friends that would get together for a occasional celebration of our friendship.
Brad loved the outdoors and we also liked to go to the coast of Sonoma county to a annual event that our friend Dan would have in Gualala (a huge abalone feed). These were great times!
Tho I had not heard from Brad in many years, those times still hold great memories for me.
God Bless you dear friend.
Bradley, You were there when Susie was born. I was 9 years old at the time. All I asked was where Mom and Dad were at? You said let’s open a present. I remember that present, a table hockey game. We played that game all thru the night! Not sure I missed Mom and Dad being gone Christmas morning? Thank you for being there for me. Ever since that time, you and Wendi were always there to watch over me when Mom and Dad were busy with entertaining clients. Really never thanked you or Wendi for watching over me. Well now is the time. Thank you for being a great cousin, thank you for helping me understand that I’d never make everyone happy at work. You managed a lot more employees than I’d ever have the opportunity to do so. Your words of wisdom live in me everyday. Most of all, I want to thank you for being a part of my life and for helping me and our family thru the loss of Dad. I’ll miss your smile and great outlook on life. Myrna, Auntie Bea, Uncle Don, Wendell, Chris, Ted and all of us will miss you so much. Love, Mark and Family
Bradley,
There were so many things that I wanted to say to you before you left us, so here goes…
I really enjoyed our memorable ice fishing trips at Lake of the Woods. Yeah, we caught a lot of fish and when those funny things happened like you accidentally kicking a bag of Cheetos all over the floor of the fish shack, or tangling your line with the other three fishermen in the shack with one of them having a monster pike on… now that made for memorable trips that I will never will forget.
I also enjoyed that evening by the campfire at the cabin on that Saturday night before Father’s Day a few years back. You and Myrna came up to camp in the backyard by the river. We had a nice little fire that could have been seen by the International Space Station and you and I polished off a bottle of citrus flavored vodka that night thinking we were having gin and tonics. Yup, the next day is the one I will never forget.
But the one thing I will never forget and will miss the most is the way you greeted me when we met at a family get together. You always greeted me with a warm and genuine “Tommy!” like an old friend glad to see me for the first time in a long time. You made me feel like I was at home.
Thank you, Brad, for your friendship, your love, and accepting me into your family. I will miss you and promise to care of Wendi.
Love always,
Tom
I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to know Brad. Even though our paths only crossed once a year at Sand Lake, the time we spent time together made for such wonderful memories that we all kept coming back year after year. Most of the time we spent it wet, and not because we were swimming, but because we were battling the forces of Mother Nature and her idea to soak us with rain. Brad was our ray of sunshine through that time. His positive attitude and joy for life kept us laughing. You will be missed.
With every sunrise I see at Sand Lake, I sing in my favorite Beatles Song in my head. Now when I sing that song I will remember you my friend…
“Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it’s all right…”
God Bless You
The very first day I met Brad, I knew we would become good friends. Many of my life’s greatest memories include him, especially our mutual love of baseball. Though time and great mileage has separated our lives, I have continued to think of him often with a smile on my face.
Brad’s family as well as Myrna and her family meant so much to him – my thoughts are with you all through this terrible time. His death leaves an ache in so many hearts and I don’t think any of us will ever forget him.
Bradley – I hope you made it to a parallel universe where you’re watching the Twins play in the World Series, making that air guitar hum, and catching a “mess of fish”! Rest in Peace Dear Friend.
I have so many wonderful memories of Brad it is hard to pick out the most significant. I will always remember him as a kind-hearted loving person that chose to see the good in all. I will also remember our numerous road/camping trips, baseball trips, season Gopher basketball tickets, concerts and going to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He will be dearly missed.
A star shining in a universe far away
My heart knows that we shall meet again some sweet day
And you, you will be the flame that burns in my breast
And oh, I know just by knowing you I was blessed.
Yes I was truly blessed
Heaven, Heaven, waiting there for me
Heaven, Heaven, always let it be
So why, tell me why the good die young my old friend
I pray that heaven waits for everyone in the end
And love, love is how we cross that bridge to the light
A star that is what you are in my darkest night
Be always by my side
Heaven, Heaven, waiting there for me
Heaven, Heaven, always let it be
Brad was one of the most kind hearted people i know…..i don’t think i heard him speak harsh words of anyone….lake of the woods won’t be the same without him…i will always remember him trying to fish as well…..getting us all tangled up in the ice holes…..we loved you and your bear hugs…….we have you all in our thoughts and prayers…..
We are deeply saddened by the news of Brad’s passing. He was a wonderful neighbor and we often traded barbs across the decks. We are thinking of all who knew him and will miss him.
The Budziszewskis
(Paul, Rebekah, Cora, and Ruby)
The quality of my life will be greatly diminished by his absence. But the essence of my life has been enriched immeasurably by his being a part of it.
Brad was my Godfather. Although he never had children of his own- you would never would have guessed that by the way he interacted with kids. My girls Jordan and Julia loved him and thought he was so funny. As Julia said to me, “Brad was always jolly.” He had a warm personality and always had a great story and interesting things to say. He was passionate about so many things especially music. He bought me my first Beatles CD for my birthday one year. I will miss him and I know that I will see him again someday. Until then, he is probably gonna catch some Twins games with my dad (they got the best seats in the house) Love you “GODFATHER.”
A fond memory … there was many a summer that Brad spent time visiting our family in Pine City. It was the era of Star Trek, (the TV show that neither Barry nor Brad would miss)…Brad in complete head gear from his braces would flip open a make-up compact and say “Beam – Me – Up – Scottie!”. Well…you made it Brad… Hugs from cousin Nay.
I remember:
Playing out in the woods between Brad’s and Grandpa and Grandma White’s, and maybe picking on Chris a little.
Laying on the grass at night trying to figure out all the constellations (he knew them all.. I tried to remember a few).
Leaving an electronics project or two at Brad’s and Aunt Bea thinking I was trying to electrocute him.
Riding bikes to Uncle Alvin and Uncle Ivan’s house in Wyoming, and going to their attic to play the old cylinder record player, and look at all their junk.
In later years, going to visit in North Carolina, going to Kure Beach with Brad and Terry. Also going to the Nascar race at Darlington.
He called me Bug-Gee-Ga ever since he learned to talk.
I’m going to miss him very much.
One day my son we will finish our guitar duets-peace to you ma , dad, Wendy, Chris and Ted.
Wendi…you had the best brother ever! He loved you so much! Brad was always smiling, laughing and fun to be around! We always had so much fun laughing at him “trying” to fish! I will only have very fond memories of Brad! He was the best! I guess the old saying is true “only the good die young!” You are in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time in your life! Just remember that you have friends and people that love you!
Brad was not only my brother, but my best friend. It will be very hard to carry on without him. He was always there for me and my life will never be the same.
Brad had so many friends – I am happy to count myself among them. He was such a good person and will be missed. Prayers from all of us go out to Myrna and his family at this very difficult time. We will miss you Studley!
Jewel
I first became friends with Brad way back in 2nd grade.
We were the “official” tornado spotters for Forest Lake Elementary School. (I’m proud to say nobody was ever hurt by a tornado while we were on duty there.) We had lots of great times throughout our years in school and scouts. He will be greatly missed.
My sympathies to his family.