1937
Eugene
2013
Eugene Paul Bradt
June 7, 1937 — August 29, 2013
Eugene Paul Bradt, 76, of Red Wing and formerly of Roseville, entered into eternal peace on Thursday, August 29, 2013 at Methodist Hospital in Rochester after a courageous battle with brain cancer. He was born on June 7, 1937, in Hastings to Robert and Lucille (Niederkorn) Bradt, later moving to Duluth where he graduated from Denfeld High School in 1955. On January 25, 1958 he married Darlene Hansen, who preceded him in death on April 13, 2001.
After completing his undergraduate work at Marquette University and the University of Minnesota, Gene graduated Cum Laude with a J.D. degree from William Mitchell College of Law in 1963. For the next 42 years, until 2005, he practiced with the firm of Hansen, Dordell, Bradt, Odlaug, and Bradt trying hundreds of cases in State and Federal Court. Gene was a pioneer in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution, working as a mediator and arbitrator to resolve legal disputes without the necessity of litigation. He continued that practice actively from 2005 until several days before the diagnosis of a brain tumor in February 2013. In large part, due to his successes, ADR is now required in almost all civil cases. He mediated or arbitrated in excess of 3000 cases. His contribution to the legal profession included participation in numerous committees and organizations. He was Chairman of the State Bar Association Workers Compensations Committee from 1973-1976. He was a long-time member of the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association serving as its President from 1984-1986. He served for many years on the Board of Directors of William Mitchell College of Law and was a prolific lecturer at seminars educating other lawyers. Gene received numerous professional honors and awards including a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an organization whose membership is restricted to a select few, chosen by peers; he was elected as a Fellow by the American Bar Association in 1995, listed in the National Publication Best Lawyers in America, and was a Perennial Super Lawyer in Law and Politics. His contribution to his profession is acknowledged by all who know him.
On October 25, 2003 he married Dona Macaulay of Red Wing. They resided in Red Wing where he attended United Lutheran Church. He enjoyed golfing, traveling, attending Symphony and Opera performances and especially enjoyed their frequent visits up north to the family's Sand Lake Cottage.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife; one sister, Betty Welshons and one brother, Arnie Bradt. He is survived by his wife Dona Macaulay-Bradt; three children, Kellie Bradt of Woodbury, Kevin (Marsha) Bradt of Roseville and Eric (Kathleen) Bradt of Grant Township, Minnesota; seven grandchildren; three great grandchildren; five step children, Robert (Karen) Macaulay of Cloquet, Cathy (Michael) Burlager of Shakopee, Jim (Susan) Macaulay of Ada, Mich., George (Cheryl) Macaulay of Atlanta, Georgia and Carolyn (Michael) Liebe of Grand Rapids, Minn.; 15 step grandchildren; two brothers, Guy (Darlene) Bradt of Eleveth and William (Darlene) Bradt of Roseville; two sisters, Audrey (Ken) Kochendorfer of Hastings and Mary (Al) Kieffer of Florida.
Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Friday, September 6, 2013 at United Lutheran Church with Rev. Clark Cary officiating. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service at the church on Friday. Memorials are preferred to the church or donor's choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
~~~
Gene Bradt Family Tributes
How can one encapsulate the life of a person who means so much to so many of us? We can talk about his legal career, or his personal interests...frequent golf matches with his many buddies, his enjoyment of cooking up a new recipe, his acquired love of the symphony and opera, or his passion for the cabin...his second home up "up north." But his main enjoyment was participating in the lives of his families...about 50 members, including brothers, sisters, in-laws, and step-children. Two of our children, Kellie Bradt and George Macaulay have written wonderful tributes to attest to his love and graciousness toward every member of our families, and excerpts from their expressions seem appropriate.
Kellie Bradt wrote: "People say you can tell a lot about a man by the way he lived his life - well Dad, I want you to know that you are my role model, my inspiration, and my hero. You have influenced and blessed every life you ever touched in more ways than you will ever know. You have lived your life with courage, quiet strength, honesty, integrity, gentleness, generosity, kindness and compassion. In doing so, you have given the best of yourself to your family. As your daughter, I want you to know I believed you to be the smartest man in the world! You were the one people could turn to, and you never thought twice about helping others. You always put others before yourself. You've been there for every life event - you were always so proud of the 3 of us, attending every football and baseball game, swim meets, piano and dance recitals. When I was in high school, you were one of the "youngest parents." I remember my friends thinking you were so handsome, and they were right. You had the patience of a saint and carefully listened and took in every word. Then with great wisdom you would offer sound advice and guidance. Dad, I could go on forever listing ways you demonstrated your love and support and reliving joy filled memory after joy filled memory. You made it so easy to be proud to be your daughter. Always know that you were the best dad EVER - you have forever blessed and left your mark on the hearts and lives of your family, friends, and every life you touched. You are always and forever loved."
George Macaulay wrote: "In fairy tale romances, the couple rides off together into the sunset to live happily ever after. Today, Mom and Gene's fairy tale ended with Gene's passing. They were so blessed to have found each other again. They traveled the world together and crammed so many memories into the time they had - some seeing the spectacular wonders of the world in distant countries, some spent quietly together at the lake. Gene stepped into his role as husband to our mother and grandfather to our kids with grace. He developed wonderful relationships with each member of our family and will be sorely missed. He was a brilliant man, an outstanding attorney, a wise counsel and a dear friend. We were so very fortunate to have him as a part of our family. We love you Gene."
Dona wrote: Gene and I knew each other in junior high school in Duluth back in 1950. Gene was a year behind me in school, and I didn't see him much after I went on to Denfeld High School. He also left to attend a pre-seminary school for the priesthood. I don't recall seeing him again for 52 years when he looked me up prior to his 65th birthday. We both had lost our spouses (Bob died in 1995, Dar in 2001), and he said he didn't want to spend this special birthday alone. This was the beginning of a wonderful relationship, traveling (Gene's first passport), relaxing time at the cabin, the symphony and opera, and all in all, enjoying our (almost) 10 years of marriage doing all the things we hoped to do in our twilight years. I would like to bring Gene back from his horrendous illness so we could have another eventful ten years together, but I'm thankful for the incredible relationship we've enjoyed. I have no regrets and I will always love you, Gene.
628 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
628 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
After completing his undergraduate work at Marquette University and the University of Minnesota, Gene graduated Cum Laude with a J.D. degree from William Mitchell College of Law in 1963. For the next 42 years, until 2005, he practiced with the firm of Hansen, Dordell, Bradt, Odlaug, and Bradt trying hundreds of cases in State and Federal Court. Gene was a pioneer in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution, working as a mediator and arbitrator to resolve legal disputes without the necessity of litigation. He continued that practice actively from 2005 until several days before the diagnosis of a brain tumor in February 2013. In large part, due to his successes, ADR is now required in almost all civil cases. He mediated or arbitrated in excess of 3000 cases. His contribution to the legal profession included participation in numerous committees and organizations. He was Chairman of the State Bar Association Workers Compensations Committee from 1973-1976. He was a long-time member of the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association serving as its President from 1984-1986. He served for many years on the Board of Directors of William Mitchell College of Law and was a prolific lecturer at seminars educating other lawyers. Gene received numerous professional honors and awards including a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an organization whose membership is restricted to a select few, chosen by peers; he was elected as a Fellow by the American Bar Association in 1995, listed in the National Publication Best Lawyers in America, and was a Perennial Super Lawyer in Law and Politics. His contribution to his profession is acknowledged by all who know him.
On October 25, 2003 he married Dona Macaulay of Red Wing. They resided in Red Wing where he attended United Lutheran Church. He enjoyed golfing, traveling, attending Symphony and Opera performances and especially enjoyed their frequent visits up north to the family's Sand Lake Cottage.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife; one sister, Betty Welshons and one brother, Arnie Bradt. He is survived by his wife Dona Macaulay-Bradt; three children, Kellie Bradt of Woodbury, Kevin (Marsha) Bradt of Roseville and Eric (Kathleen) Bradt of Grant Township, Minnesota; seven grandchildren; three great grandchildren; five step children, Robert (Karen) Macaulay of Cloquet, Cathy (Michael) Burlager of Shakopee, Jim (Susan) Macaulay of Ada, Mich., George (Cheryl) Macaulay of Atlanta, Georgia and Carolyn (Michael) Liebe of Grand Rapids, Minn.; 15 step grandchildren; two brothers, Guy (Darlene) Bradt of Eleveth and William (Darlene) Bradt of Roseville; two sisters, Audrey (Ken) Kochendorfer of Hastings and Mary (Al) Kieffer of Florida.
Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Friday, September 6, 2013 at United Lutheran Church with Rev. Clark Cary officiating. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service at the church on Friday. Memorials are preferred to the church or donor's choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
~~~
Gene Bradt Family Tributes
How can one encapsulate the life of a person who means so much to so many of us? We can talk about his legal career, or his personal interests...frequent golf matches with his many buddies, his enjoyment of cooking up a new recipe, his acquired love of the symphony and opera, or his passion for the cabin...his second home up "up north." But his main enjoyment was participating in the lives of his families...about 50 members, including brothers, sisters, in-laws, and step-children. Two of our children, Kellie Bradt and George Macaulay have written wonderful tributes to attest to his love and graciousness toward every member of our families, and excerpts from their expressions seem appropriate.
Kellie Bradt wrote: "People say you can tell a lot about a man by the way he lived his life - well Dad, I want you to know that you are my role model, my inspiration, and my hero. You have influenced and blessed every life you ever touched in more ways than you will ever know. You have lived your life with courage, quiet strength, honesty, integrity, gentleness, generosity, kindness and compassion. In doing so, you have given the best of yourself to your family. As your daughter, I want you to know I believed you to be the smartest man in the world! You were the one people could turn to, and you never thought twice about helping others. You always put others before yourself. You've been there for every life event - you were always so proud of the 3 of us, attending every football and baseball game, swim meets, piano and dance recitals. When I was in high school, you were one of the "youngest parents." I remember my friends thinking you were so handsome, and they were right. You had the patience of a saint and carefully listened and took in every word. Then with great wisdom you would offer sound advice and guidance. Dad, I could go on forever listing ways you demonstrated your love and support and reliving joy filled memory after joy filled memory. You made it so easy to be proud to be your daughter. Always know that you were the best dad EVER - you have forever blessed and left your mark on the hearts and lives of your family, friends, and every life you touched. You are always and forever loved."
George Macaulay wrote: "In fairy tale romances, the couple rides off together into the sunset to live happily ever after. Today, Mom and Gene's fairy tale ended with Gene's passing. They were so blessed to have found each other again. They traveled the world together and crammed so many memories into the time they had - some seeing the spectacular wonders of the world in distant countries, some spent quietly together at the lake. Gene stepped into his role as husband to our mother and grandfather to our kids with grace. He developed wonderful relationships with each member of our family and will be sorely missed. He was a brilliant man, an outstanding attorney, a wise counsel and a dear friend. We were so very fortunate to have him as a part of our family. We love you Gene."
Dona wrote: Gene and I knew each other in junior high school in Duluth back in 1950. Gene was a year behind me in school, and I didn't see him much after I went on to Denfeld High School. He also left to attend a pre-seminary school for the priesthood. I don't recall seeing him again for 52 years when he looked me up prior to his 65th birthday. We both had lost our spouses (Bob died in 1995, Dar in 2001), and he said he didn't want to spend this special birthday alone. This was the beginning of a wonderful relationship, traveling (Gene's first passport), relaxing time at the cabin, the symphony and opera, and all in all, enjoying our (almost) 10 years of marriage doing all the things we hoped to do in our twilight years. I would like to bring Gene back from his horrendous illness so we could have another eventful ten years together, but I'm thankful for the incredible relationship we've enjoyed. I have no regrets and I will always love you, Gene.
Visitation
SEP 6. 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM (CDT)
United Lutheran Church628 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
Service
SEP 6. 2:00 PM (CDT)
United Lutheran Church628 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
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