Bradley J. Eklund

Bradley J. Eklund, age 65, of Winona, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Thursday, February 27, 2025, after a courageous fight with cancer for 6 years. 

He was born on July 31, 1959, in Rochester, MN, to Wallace and Gwen (Betcher) Eklund, and honorably served his country with the United States Army from 1977 to 1980.

Brad married his first wife, Rita Markham in 1983, and they welcomed their daughter, Holly, in 1986. Brad and Rita divorced in 1988. In 1999, Brad married his queen of 25 years, Tracy.

He worked as a window washer, where he developed his “love” for birds. He later owned and operated his own trucking company, which allowed him to travel all over the country, but as Brad would say, “I never got to see any of it because I was working!”

Being the life of every party, the world was his drum set. He enjoyed playing softball, bowling, camping, and cheering for his favorite Minnesota teams with an ice-cold Budweiser in hand.

Brad was preceded in death by his parents, Gwen and Wallace.

He is lovingly survived by his wife, Tracy; daughters: Holly and Kacie, and grandson Kaden Spaid; sisters: Janel (Steve) Hengel and Cristy (Mike) Mueske; Jerry Sandte, the man he loved, respected, and called dad; as well as numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved very much. 

Brad’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Gundersen of La Crosse for the excellent and loving care he received.

Remember whenever you hear your favorite song, “I wrote that song.”

Honoring Brad’s wishes, there will be a private family burial at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, MN.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Brad’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.