Bernard S. Brabbit, 93 of Winona, passed away peacefully Sunday February 9, 2025 surrounded by family at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, WI after a brief battle with cancer.
He was born October 25, 1931 , to Dorothy (Seekamp) and Benjamin Brabbit. On June 16, 1951, Bernard married Ardyce Y. Strumstad. Ardyce passed away in November 2020. Together they raised four children: Kevin, Sherrie, Scott, and Shannon.
Bernard was a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Winona. He had a very diverse and fascinating career. He started working on a farm, later moving to ranches in Montana, the Milwaukee Railroad, Trane Company, and later retiring as superintendent of a sand and gravel operation. He was a master of all kinds of heavy equipment operation, but his favorite machines were cranes. During his time with the railroad he operated steam cranes rebuilding tracks and trestle bridges. He was a proud member of the International Union of Operating Engineers for 70 years.
He was avid outdoorsman hunting, fishing, trapping and traveling with friends and family. His final hunting trip was hunting mule deer with his son and grandson in Colorado at age 91. His greatest passion was traveling and exploring the continental United States, Canada, and Alaska with his wife of 69 years.
He is survived by four children: Kevin (Cynthia) Brabbit; Sherrie Maringer; Scott (Joni) Brabbit; and Shannon Rasmussen; 11 grandchildren: Hans (Kathleen) Brabbit; Jens (Katherine) Brabbit; Nicole McDevitt; Erik Maringer; Katylyn Maringer; Bailey (Andrew) Oplawski; Cody Brabbit; Raymie (Bryan) Knutson; Lane Brabbit; Annalise Rasmussen; and Geneva Rasmussen; eleven great grandchildren: Maeve Brabbit; Bjorn Brabbit; Mack Brabbit; Aksel Brabbit; Reilly Brabbit; Keira Brabbit; Cole Johnson; Izabelle Johnson; Silas McDevitt; Emerson Oplawski; Vivienne Oplawski; three brothers: Ronnie Brabbit; Dale (June) Brabbit, and Randy (Sharon) Brabbit and many nieces , nephews and other relatives.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Ardyce; and grandson Christian Brabbit
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, February 28, 2025, at Fawcett Junker Funeral Home with Rev. Winfried Schroeder, pastor of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, officiating. Interment will be at Oakland Cemetery, Dresbach, MN.
Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, February 28th at the funeral home.
Memorials can be directed to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 766 W Wabasha St., Winona, MN 55987
Services entrusted to Fawcett Junker Funeral Home, Winona, MN. Memories can be given at www.fawcett-junkerfuneralhome.com.
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