Brett Steven Shelstad

Brett S. Shelstad On Sunday, October 6, 2024, Brett Steven Shelstad, loving son, brother, and uncle, passed away unexpectedly at age 53. Brett was born on March 9, 1971 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Jeffrey Shelstad and Wanda (Annette) Gibson (nee Findlay). He attended Hastings High School, graduating in 1989 and received an Associate's Degree from St. Cloud State University. After some time working in construction and hospitality, Brett followed his passion for the game of golf. He attended Mississippi State University's Professional Golf Management program, graduating in May of 2002. In Brett's younger years, two loves were formed: the cabin and the game of golf. Summers were spent up north at the cabin. Visiting Gma and Gpa, making bike jumps with wood scraps, taking the "little boat" out fishing, riding horses, and building and sleeping in the tree fort. And then golf: Brett would tag along with Grandpa Jiggs to his weekly round with friends, and the leisurely pace of play allowed Brett the extra time to collect lost balls from the woods and take a few extra swings. Back home at the cabin he would tee up and whack the old and too-damaged balls out into the lake and practice his short game with the pinecones donated by the big Norway pine. "No divots!" was the frequent callout from dad. Eventually, summer jobs became part of the picture and Brett's circle of friends grew to include many in the Brainerd Lakes area. Returning to school each fall was Brett's chance to grow his "in town" social network. He played soccer and hockey and of course looked forward to the golf courses opening as soon as possible each spring. Along with sports, he was drawn to anything with an engine - go-karts, minibikes, boats, and snowmobiles - and he always wanted them to go faster. Brett also enjoyed frequenting numerous concerts throughout his years and was an avid fan of Minnesota sporting events, including the Minnesota Wild, the Twins and Vikings football. Brett's circle of friends grew even more at St. Cloud. The house on 9th Ave was a popular gathering spot before and after class, between job shifts, and of course on weekends! Lifelong friends were gained from far and wide. Same with Starkville, MS - Brett was proud to be a Bulldog! He dug into his PGM curriculum in earnest, became an avid MS State football fan (and, naturally, a hater of Ole Miss), golfing year-round was certainly a bonus, and - once again - Brett was the center of another group of friends that he held onto and valued deeply. After graduating from Mississippi State, Brett settled in Huntersville, NC, a suburb of Charlotte, and was a club professional at nearby Birkdale Golf Club. Along with running the pro shop and coordinating numerous golf-related events, Brett was able to gain a great reputation as a teaching professional giving lessons and sharing his passion for the game. While he could help single handicappers shave a stroke or two off their game, Brett's true joy was working with less experienced golfers - especially kids - that showed some of the same passion he had when first starting out at a young age. A few years later - still in Huntersville - Brett started his own home improvement business. With a ladder strapped to the top of a station wagon, he canvassed neighborhoods and gained customers, eventually creating a strong book of business and growing the company. And again, separate from vocation, Brett's group of friends grew even more to include the greater Charlotte area and by extension the entire east coast region. One of the most significant 'friends' that Brett EVER acquired though also happened in North Carolina. Greta came into his life in late summer of 2009. Brett had a saying - "many times it's the dog that chooses the owner", and Greta and Brett couldn't have been more perfect for each other. Greta was constantly at Brett's side and his constant companion. She was there when he would get his day started, she joined him on his work appointments (maybe helping sell a job or two?), and was always his couch buddy at the end of the day. Greta went on camping trips and other overnights, became an excellent hunting companion, and she especially made his long trips back to Minnesota more bearable. Throughout his years away from Minnesota, Brett's highlights were visits back home. Christmas through New Years was for connecting with his large family at holiday gatherings, but also a chance to sneak in a late season hunting trip, get up north to the cabin, and re-connect with MN friends. In summer, extended time at the cabin was always on the calendar - typically over Fourth of July and replete with fireworks displays that got bigger and better each year. Eventually "home" beckoned more and more and in 2016 Brett moved back to Minnesota. He also moved his home improvement business and was successful in helping customers from Minneapolis-St Paul metro to the Brainerd Lakes area. In 2021 Brett was able to apply his years expertise by seamlessly joining ranks with a local home improvement contractor. In 2019 Brett met Jodi Lysne and within 18 months they were engaged to be married. They made their "weekday" home in south Minneapolis and their "weekend" home at the cabin. They shared their love for the cabin with their dogs who relished their time up north to exhaust themselves and then 'recover' in their couch spots during the week in Minneapolis. Warmer months were filled with meat raffles, beach time and pontoon floats. In wintertime, freeze over and snow couldn't come soon enough so they could hit the trail on their snowmobiles. We are all so devastated by Brett and Jodi's sudden and tragic death. We will mourn their loss forever, and yet we are hopeful that the evils of the fentanyl crisis can be conquered so that other families and friends can be spared this terrible experience. We will also forever treasure a full lifetime of memories that Brett brought to us. The love, laughter, fun and friendship Brett shared is a golden gift we will always have. Saddened that we won't have more, grateful for what he gave. Brett was preceded in death by his father Jeffrey Shelstad and his beloved dog Greta. He is survived by his mother Wanda Annette Gibson (Jim); brother Brooks Shelstad (Karin), sister Elizabeth Matvick (Clint); nieces Annika Shelstad, Siri Shelstad, Grace Matvick; nephew Mikkel Shelstad; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, November 22, 2024 at 1:00 PM with a visitation beginning one hour prior at 12:00 PM and a reception to follow. Mount Olivet Lutheran Church - West Campus, 7150 Rolling Acres Rd, Victoria, MN 55386. A private interment will be held at a later date. As a memorial to Brett, please consider a donation to the Babinski Foundation, (501(c) Pequot Lakes, MN www.babinskifoundation.org) who graciously assisted with the re-homing of all three of Brett and Jodi's dogs - Lena, Snoopy, and Jax.

Tributes

Brett Steven Shelstad

March 9, 1971 - October 6, 2024

Tributes

Brett Steven Shelstad

March 9, 1971 - October 6, 2024

We are here for you 24x7

Call us and get help now

(612) 377-2203