Bradley “Brad” Eldred Ratzlaff, resident of Grande Prairie, AB, passed away on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at the age of 54 years.

Brad was born March 11, 1967, to Eldred and Caroline Ratzlaff. It was from a very young age he was a true outdoorsman. He had a gift of finding the beauty in nature that many can’t see. He spent his winters on the trap line, hunting beavers in the spring, and farming in the summer, his favourite, hunting elk in the fall. At a young age he was working for his grandpa and dad, guiding hunters from all over the world on moose and bear hunts; he had many stories of these hunts. In his teens he found another passion, fixing up pickup trucks and he was so proud of this. After high school he went and got his heavy-duty mechanic license and there was nothing he couldn’t fix; he enjoyed every challenge there was and his favourite was working on the big equipment. He mentored many young aspiring mechanics and was proud of every one of them.

He met Bev Kamm and together had 2 beautiful daughters, Brandy and Brianna that he was so proud of. They all spent many weekends at the cabin at the lease off the grid enjoying the outdoors. He taught them so many things out there, including how to appreciate nature. There was always a lot of family and friends that joined them there, and they spent a lot of time quading and fishing.

Later he met Becky Kimble and together they had so many great adventures. He had never been far from home and all of a sudden he was a world traveller. He decided that he no longer wanted to be just a horse show husband so he acquired his heart horse Bronze Statue, there are no words to describe how proud he was of Bronze. Brad was our official photographer, he never went far without his camera in hand. His photos told a story and the beauty, he spent many hours at the lease walking with camera in hand.

Brad will be greatly missed by his wife Becky Ratzlaff; daughters Brandy ( Johnny) and Brianna; parents Eldred (Betty), and Caroline; sisters: Sherry (Mike), Wendy, and Lori (Mark); niece Shalah; nephews Tanner (Brianne) and Trey; grandma Lillian Judd; his in-laws: David and Sharon Kimble, Lorne and Iona (Merrick, Ewan and Gerard), Kirk and Alana (Axel), and Jody (Neil); as well as numerous friends and family, and his two loyal companions Scout and Sky.

Brad was predeceased by his grandparents Jacob and Sarah Ratzlaff, and Con Judd; his brother Gerald Badger; as well as many close friends.

Brad was a man of few words but always let you know how he felt. He will be greatly missed by so many.

A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at 2:00pm at Cornwall Cemetery in Crooked Creek, AB, with a Celebration of Life to follow at the cabin at 3:00pm (signs will show the way from the cemetery).

Memorial donations can be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Condolences may be sent by visiting

www.oliversfuneralhome.com

• Date : 2021-07-06
• Location : Grande Prairie, Alberta

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