Bradley "Brad" Whitaker

Brad Whitaker, age 50, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, August 28, 2026, next to his wife, Kari,surrounded by family and close friends who had long ago become family. Born January 27, 1976, in Edina, Minnesota, Brad lived a perfectly imperfect life-and he lived it completely as himself. Brad was a man with a heart of gold. He was the kind of person who would stop whatever he was doing to help someone in need, especially if something needed fixing. A mechanic by trade and a mechanic at heart, there wasn't much Brad couldn't figure out with a set of tools, a little time, and probably a few choice words along the way. His back garage was more than a garage. It was where Brad spent countless hours wrenching on something, working on the next project, or simply sitting and talking with the many good friends who found their way there. For Brad, sometimes the project was almost beside the point-it was the people who mattered. Brad was a free spirit who lived for a good time, a good story, and a new adventure. Whether he was on an ATV trail, at a racetrack, at the campground, or sitting down at a fancy restaurant, Brad never changed himself to fit the room. Nothing fancy. Nothing fake. He was simply Brad, and people loved him for exactly that. Brad collected friends throughout his life, and once you were his friend, you were a friend for life. Whether you knew him from school, the R/C track, the campground, an ATV trail, a racing event, or simply found yourself sitting in his back garage one day, chances are you walked away with a story-and a friend. Of everything Brad loved, nothing meant more to him than his girls, Audrey and Olivia. He loved spending time with them, teaching them new things, taking them along for experiences and adventures, and showing them how to enjoy life the way he did. Brad leaves behind a lifetime of stories, friendships, adventures, unfinished projects, muddy machines, garage conversations, and people who are better for having known him. Brad was preceded in death by his mother, Sue, and his sister, Debbie. He is survived by his wife, Kari; his daughters, Audrey and Olivia Whitaker; his stepchildren, Megan and Brian Heinzmann; his father, Jerry Whitaker; along with many relatives and an extraordinary circle of friends who were truly family. Services will be held Friday, September 4, 2026, at Washburn-McReavy Northeast Chapel. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. A reception and celebration of Brad's life will immediately follow the service at MainStreet Bar & Grill in downtown Hopkins. And in true Brad fashion, please don't worry about dressing up. Show up wearing whatever you would have worn to hang out with Brad.

Bradley "Brad" Whitaker

January 27, 1976 - August 28, 2026

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