Bradley Don Stensrud (February 4, 1957 ~ February 20, 2012) Bradley (Brad) Don Stensrud (55) left this earthly home on February 20, 2012, surrounded by family and friends at Avera-McKennen Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after a courageous year-long battle with Multiple Myeloma. Brad was born February 4, 1957, to Donovan and Shirley (Wolf) Stensrud. He graduated from Clarkfield High School in 1975 and Canby Area Vo Tech in 1977 with a degree in Production Agriculture. Brad married his best friend, Cheryl (Heimark) on April 2, 1977. Brad and Chery made their home on the farm where he grew up in rural Clarkfield. The gifts of this union were three daughters, their spouses and three precious grandchildren. Brad truly enjoyed whatever he did. He worked for Stensrud Farms in the family farming operation until their retirement in 2006. Brad owned and operated BC Grading township road maintenance for over 30 years, blading and doing the snow removal for up to seven local townships. Brad also worked part time at Prairie Grain Partners in Clarkfield. Everyone knowing Brad, knew his infectious smile, gentle kindness, joking personality and strong faith. He was always willing to help without expecting anything in return. His favorite times were those spent with family and friends especially up at the lake lot, showing people how to water ski and fish, visiting around a warm camp fire and just enjoying the moment. Brad loved being with kids and taught many how to drive cars, four-wheelers, snowmobiles, boats, jet skis, motorcycles and tractors. His love of the land and it's history showed in his leadership and active work with the Minnesota Machinery Museum, Pioneer Power and the Hanley Falls Threshing show. Brad served on many local boards with positions on the Cottonwood Co-Op Oil Board, Healing Waters Parish Board, and many within his home church, St. Lucas Church of rural Cottonwood. Brad enjoyed being a youth chaperone for church trips and a confirmation mentor for Healing Waters Parish, even after his own children moved off to college. Brad's faith and love were his strongest strength. He so loved washing dishes at church dinners so he could visit with the women but he would tell them it was to get his hands clean. If there was ever anything the church needed done, Brad would be there without question. How the large Christmas trees made it into church will remain his secret. Brad studied the Bible in the Crossways series and studied to be a Lay leader. His calling was not to be able to preach from the pulpit, but the lessons of his words and actions spoke more. Brad is survived by his wife Chery; his daughters and sons by choice: Jessie and Drew Syring, Jamie and Adam Martin, Jodie Stensrud; and grandchildren: Danielle and Madeline Syring and Austin Martin; his parents, Donovan and Shirley Stensrud and mother-in-law Marlyce Heimark; his brothers: Tim (Julie) Stensrud and Brian (Lyn) Stensrud; brothers and sisters-in-law: Charlie (Joy) Heimark, Deb (Dave) Werner, Rick Heimark, Carol Quenemoen, Curt (Mary) Heimark, Allie Heimark; many nieces, nephews and god children; and a large circle of very special friends. He was preceded in death by grandparents Marvin and Beatrice Stensrud and Richard and Anna Wolf; his father-in-law, Clark Heimark; and his sister Tamara. Blessed be Brad's memory. Chery and her family thank everyone for their prayers, especially this past year. Thank you for all remembrances, food brought to the home and other kindnesses. A special thank you to Pastor Weston, Clarkfield Lutheran Church and all who assisted with the service. Please consider a memorial to St. Lucas Lutheran Church, American Cancer Society or Avera Foundation. In Loving Memory of Bradley D. Stensrud Visitation Friday, February 24, 2012 ~ 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Clarkfield Lutheran Church, Clarkfield, Minnesota Funeral Service Saturday, February 25, 2012 ~ 11:00 a.m. Clarkfield Lutheran Church, Clarkfield, Minnesota Clergy Officiating Pastor Steve Weston Organist, Karen Donner Special Music, Dean Pearson Honorary Casket Bearers Jeff Brooks ~ Scott Gile Dean Hartle ~ Greg Manning Mike Rausch ~ Wayne VanMaldeghem Casket Bearers (Nephews) Jason Stensrud ~ Joshua Stensrud Jesse Stensrud ~ Danny Brusven Final Resting Place St. Lucas Lutheran Cemetery, Normania Township Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota