"To Brad's family---We were so sorry to hear about Brad's death. We know he will be missed so much by all of you. We saw his write up in the Walker Paper. God be with you all at this sorrowful time. We notified the rest of the Wedgewood Estates residents at our annual meeting June 5th."
In loving memory of
Bradley R. Crow
November 21, 1961 - May 26, 2010
Bradley (Brad) Ryan Crow was born on November 21, 1961 to Willis Francis Crow and Patricia Ann (Larson) Tepley. Bradley was baptized at American Lutheran Church in Windom on February 1, 1964 and was confirmed on May 29, 1977. Brad received his education in the Windom Public Schools, graduating from the Windom Area High School in the Class of 1980. After graduation he joined the United States Army and served his country from 1980 until 1990. Brad was stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas and Fort Lenard Wood, Missouri and he spent two years serving in Germany.
Brad was united in marriage on May 18, 1985 to Patricia Lee Johnson in Pipestone, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with two sons, Blake and Taylor. Brad and Pat lived in Windom and Pipestone for a short period of time, before moving to Rapid City, South Dakota. Then they moved back to Pipestone where Brad attended Pipestone Vocational School where he received a degree in Meat Cutting. Brad was a meat cutter in Ames, Iowa, Mankato, Minnesota and Walker, Minnesota at Bielohs Grocery Store where Brad set up a smoke house. This was something Brad was very proud of. Brad built his own smoker and has treated family and friends to great smoked prime rib and pork loins. He also made his own recipes for "Hot" brats, which is a right of entry in the "Crow" family if you can eat one.
In 2001, Brad and Pat returned to Windom where Brad began working at Ag Builders of SW Minnesota. Brad became a certified crane operator for the company. The communication between the crane operator and the bin crew is very important for the success and safety of the project, something Brad took great pride in.
Brad's other passion was for Harley Davidson motorcycles. Brad purchased his first Harley in the late 80's and each time he purchased a different bike it was an upgrade from the previous bike until his latest Harley Davidson, a 2005 Street Glide, affectionately named the "Woody". Brad and Pat enjoyed many great motorcycle trips, including Yellowstone, UP of Michigan, Branson, and the annual trek to Sturgis, South Dakota, just to name a few. Brad was always known as the Road Captain, planning out the route and keeping the crew on task. Whether it was a short day ride or a week long motorcycle trip, Brad thoroughly enjoyed riding his HOG, especially with his special friends, Buck and Shittzy.
Brad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September of 2008. He fought the disease courageously and passed away on Wednesday evening, May 26, 2010, with his family by his side at the age of 48.
Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Pat Crow of Windom; two sons, Blake (Amber) Crow of Mankato and MNSN Taylor Crow, stationed in San Diego, CA and his fiancé, Kate Wunschel; his mother, Pat Tepley of Windom; father, Willis Crow of Garvin; two brothers, Greg (Lori) Crow of Coon Rapids and Eric (Leah) Crow of Walker; three sisters, Jean (Ken) Fast of Windom, Ann (John) Hovdenes of Rapid City, SD and Amy Jo Larson of Windom; his mother-in-law, Leona Johnson of Matlock, IA; father-in-law, Glen Johnson of Pipestone; many nieces and nephews; four sister-in-laws, Tammy Johnson, Cathy Johnson, Heidi Pitt all of Ames, IA and Gretchen Johnson of Sterling, CO; one brother-in-law, Glen "JR" Johnson of Sterling, CO; and aunts, uncles and numerous friends.
Blessed be the memory of Bradley R. Crow.
Tributes
"Pat and Family - I only met Brad when my father died almost a year ago. Brad was with my Dad on the jobsite when he passed away and was a pallbarer for us! He was a very nice man, we are so very sorry for your loss. Now Brad and Larry are riding those Hogs everywhere they have ever wanted! God Bless - The family of Larry Cumming"
"Pat& Jean and all family. May the Lord comfort you in these said times."
"Brad was good Father.Vary good freind.Ill you alot.That smile.Always stering the pot.I will miss riding with you.SOME DAY WE WILL RIDE AGIN.RIDE FREE BROTHER"
"To the Crow family..Such a great loss and I am so very sorry. My heart and prayer goes out to you and may you find much peace and love in all your great memories. Lorri Loken Cole"
"Blessed be the memory of smiling, laughing Brad. Blessed memories and peace to those whom he loved, and that loved him."
"God's Blessing to the Crow family. So many good memories from School and Church days. May Brad's love and laughter live in your hearts forever."
"Bradley - You will be greatly missed."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with your family."
"Your family is in our prayers."
"MISS YA LEROY Our thoughts and prayers are with you all "
"Brad was a good freind good father.He was full life.always stering the pot.I Will miss him lot.RIDE ON BE FREE."
"he-ro - any man admired for his courage, nobility & exploits. Brad Crow. Our deepest sympathy and our sincerest admiration. Lynnet & Kenny"
"Dear Pat,Jean,and family, Please know that our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you,for peace and strength during this difficult time! May God bless you all! Love and prayers, Dan and Linda Ortmann"
"Ottis was a great guy who will be greatly missed. True Friend!! "
"Brad will be greatly missed!! Greg enjoyed the time they spent together cruising around in the pickup or what ever they were driving, but especially on the bikes. We will always have our great memories of our trip to Red Lodge and our trips to the hills. You are all in our hearts forever and will always be a part of our family. We miss you Ottis!! Greg and Colette"
"I'll never ever forget that huge wonderful smile! You fought the good fight - now you're HOME! Crow family - thoughts and prayers remain with you all as you grieve his loss."
"I was so sorry to read of Brad's passing. It's been many years since I have seen the Crow "kids" but I do remember what a great bunch you all were. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. "
"May Jesus comfort you all during your time of need. We can see Brad Riding his bike with Jesus!! VROOM VROOM!!!!"
"Praying for God's continuing strength and comfort."
"Memories If we could have a lifetime wish A dream that would come true, We'd pray to God with all our hearts For yesterday and You. A thousand words can't bring you back We know because we've tried.... Neither will a thousand tears We know because we've cried.... You left behind our broken hearts And happy memories too.... But we never wanted memories We only wanted You. ~ Author Unknown ~ "
"Your family is in our prayers. God's peace to all of you."
"You have our sympathy."
"In honor of the best friend and partner one could ever wish for~"
"God Bless the Crow Family"
"Bradley, I see you strong and whole again, giving a grin, pulling the clutch and dropping a gear. Ride free till we see each other again. Love Annie"
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you all"
"To the Family of Brad..... I knew Brad in school. He was the nicest person one could ever meet. He will be truly missed by all! God bless you."
"When someone you love becomes a memory,the memory becomes a treasure. "
"Our deepest sympathies to you Pat, your boys and Brad's family. You are all in our thought's and prayers! Big hugs to you all!! "
"MOM"
"Pat, you are an amazing women. The love and strength you have shown is a tribute to who you are and who you have became with your years spent with Brad. You are a wonderful wife, mother, friend, and one of God's Angels on earth. Gof Bless you all and live your life to the fullest until you have the joy of seeing Brad again in Heaven someday. "
"Gods peace be with you all"
"Let Gods light shine on all of those left behind, remembering the gift of life he shared with them."
"Dear Crow Family: Bless the memory of Brad Crow. Husband, Father, "little" brother, friend...Your ever present smile (often devilish) and raspy chuckle are a warm memory in my minds eye. Heaven has a new angel to watch over us...How is the new arrival orientation going? Say "Hi" to Bette when you see her!"
"Let this (his) light shine upon you."
"Pat, Jean and family, It is so hard to see a loved one suffer and to say good-bye. Grief is like an open wound. God blesses our wound with healing. We will be left with a scar and eventually become a wounded healer. Trust in God."
"In your memory Cousin..."
"Thinking of you all....wishing I could be there. Know you are all in my heart..."
"Pat, Jean, and all of the family: We are so sad to hear of Brad's death. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We are truly sad for your loss. "
"So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
"The Crow Family- As you mourn your loss of Brad know that he's in a better place and is watching over you all now. God Bless you all!"
"So Sorry for your loss. Peace is with Brad now and may it alos be with you."
"Pat and family- I am so sorry for your loss. Just try to remember all of the good times you had and how peaceful he is now. Take Care Love and Prayers, Rhonda Fowler"
"Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers"
"Crow Family~ Where does one begin to tell you how sorry they are for your loss. It is a tough one to swallow, but you have an AMAZING family to help you get through this. We live in such an AMAZING community when something happens, friends/neighbors/relatives are there to lend a helping hand. You don't have to do this journey alone. God must have needed a GOOD angel up their to take care of all those bikers that went before him. Keep the faith, you guys have a strong bond that will help you get through this. Thinking of you all in this time of sorrow."
"Thinking of you in this time of peace and sorrow."
"Thinking of you all and praying for peace and healing"
"Gone but not forgotten. "
"May you find peace somehow."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. "
"Our thoughts and Prayers are with ALL of you ! "
"Our prayers are with Brad's family and his many friends."
"To our Super Why Brad we will always remember you."
"Thinking of Brad's family during this difficult time."
"Thoughts and prayers to you all"
"Brad fought a good fight. Even though his journey has ended,he kept the faith. We share in your sorrow and your pain, but be comforted in all the memories you have and the love you all shared. Brad is now in God's loving arms and will hold him close."
"Pat and family - my thoughts and prayers are with you. May your wonderful memories help you through this difficult time. "
"Dear Friends, You have my sympathy on Brad's passing. "
"2 Timothy 4:7&8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. We will all see you on the other side, Butch. Pat, Blake, Taylor, Amber, Kate and Families, Psalm 34:18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. We love you guys"
"Pat, Jean, and the rest of the family, Our sympathy goes out to you all. I will always remember all the neighborhood memories we had together at Cottonwood Lake, growing up together and playing ball. It was a great childhood and those good times will always be with me. So sorry to hear of Brad's death. May God comfort you at this time!"
"Pat and family...thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of Brad, but also celebrate his life and cherish all your wonderful memories."
"Remembering your family in your time of need. God bless you all. from the staff at the Guardian Inn"