Brad Heil

The funeral service for Brad Heil, of Morris, Minnesota will be held on Friday, May 3, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Morris, with Reverend Dell Sanderson officiating.  Visitation will be on Thursday, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris, and Friday, on hour prior to services at the church.  Burial will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock.

Bradley Dean Heil was born on May 13, 1955 in Morris, Minnesota, to Robert and Lucille (Krupke) Heil.  He graduated from Hancock High School in 1973.  Brad was a quiet, reserved, hardworking farmer who began farming with his dad at a young age.  On April 3, 1976, he married Pam Krogh and together they farmed until the time of his death.  Brad fed cattle, farrowed pigs, raised chickens, turkeys, sheep and even fish.  Brad instilled his work ethic into their two children, Ann and David.  Barns were cleaned every Saturday morning—no questions asked.

Over the years, Brad enjoyed doing carpentry.  He worked alongside some great carpenters, including his dad Rob, and his brothers Wayne and John, Harvey Joos and his sons, Rolly Zeltwanger and Mark Estenson.  The last construction project for Brad was helping his son David build his and Pam’s retirement home in Morris.

Brad enjoyed playing softball, golfing, hunting and fishing.  He also enjoyed attending his kids’ and grandkids’ sporting, school and 4-H events—even if it meant sitting in a cold hockey arena! He loved his grandkids Kellen, Corrie, Charli and Emma.

In the summer of 2014, Brad’s family noticed he was struggling with putting familiar things back together and processing visual information, such as which lane to be in when he drove.  In December of 2015, he was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s.  That diagnosis didn’t seem right to Pam, so after extensive testing at Health Partners Neuroscience Center in St. Paul, Brad was diagnosed with Posterior Cortical Atrophy, a rare neurological disease.  Despite these challenges, Brad maintained his sense of humor, mowed lawn, helped garden and assisted on the family farm as much as he could.  He rode along in the combine trucks just last fall.

In February, Brad agreed to go along with Pam on what turned out to be their last beach vacation to Florida.  They walked the beaches for miles, spent time with family and friends, and ate at many great restaurants.

Brad passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Courage Cottage in Morris. He was 63 years old.

He is survived by his wife: Pam Heil of Morris; daughter: Ann (Brian) Erdahl of Morris; son: David (Danielle) Heil of Morris; Four grandchildren: Kellen, Corrie and Charli Erdahl and Emma Heil all of Morris; siblings: Debbie (Gary) McHone of Georgetown, TX, Wayne (Lisa) Heil of down by the river USA; John (Tracie) Heil of Austin, TX; Jodi (Chris) Austen of Pflugerville, TX; sisters-in-law: Peggy Krogh of Duluth and Paula (Bruce) Mielke of Falcon Heights; brother-in-law: James (MaryAnne) Krogh of Sioux Falls, SD and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Rob and Lucy Heil.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials to be made to the Courage Cottage, Faith Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.

Pedersen Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.