Bradley Rakow

Bradley Rakow, age 60, of Baxter died Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, August 16, at 12:30 pm, at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Brainerd. Friends may visit at the church during the hour prior to services. Interment will be at Oakland Cemetery south of Brainerd. A reception luncheon will follow, at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter.
Bradley Dyer Rakow was born October 22, 1947 in Little Falls, to Carl and Dorothy (Lougee) Rakow. He was united in marriage to Theresa Rivers in Brainerd on June 10, 1967. Other than living in Seattle and Minneapolis for short periods, the Brainerd area was Brads home. Many will remember Brad as a manager of the House of Pizza in Brainerd. He worked for Pepsi-Cola for more than sixteen years, and then worked for Coca-Cola Bottling from 1988 to 1999. Most recently he worked as a service technician for Sears for the past nine years. Brad and Theresa were members of St. Francis Catholic Church. Bradley was a real-life Good Neighbor Sam, a friend who freely gave of his skills and helped others with their projects. He was very much a perfectionist in his work, and he enjoyed woodworking and carpentry.

Brad is survived by his wife, Theresa; his children, Joel (Anna) Rakow, of Brainerd and Laurie (Ryan) Rupp, of Breezy Point; three grandchildren, Brandon and Hannah Rakow and Madison Rupp; his siblings, Lynn (Darold) Seehafer, of Big Lake, Bruce (Marge) Rakow, of Little Falls, and Gary (Cathleen) Rakow, of Princeton; his mother-in-law, Lorraine Rivers, of Baxter; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill (Pat) Rivers, of Anchorage, AK. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ronald and an infant brother, David; and a grandchild, Drew Rakow.