Brad Reeves

Brad Reeves, 80 of Mankato, died August 26, 2019 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Mankato.

Brad’s children welcome you to a visitation on Friday, August 30, 2019 from 1-4pm, at Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary with a service starting at 4pm and military honors to follow. Following the service, the children will host a Celebration of Brad’s life at the Mankato Golf Club. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the National Parkinson’s Association.

John Bradford Reeves was born September 14, 1938 in Minneapolis to Gregory and Mary (Lenox) Reeves. He graduated from Minnetonka High School in 1956. Immediately after graduation Brad enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. On July 21, 1956, just 1 month after graduation, Brad was united in marriage to Holley Drake; they were married at the Little Brown Church in Iowa. As newlyweds, Brad and Holley moved to San Diego while Brad completed basic training; they were there until 1958.  During his time in the military, Brad went to Italy on a peace-keeping mission. He was honorably discharged from his reserve obligation on June 7, 1962, and they relocated to Minnetonka, MN. Over the years, Brad was employed from 1958-1965 by Phelps-Drake Construction Company and Smith Ambulance Service from 1960-1967.

Holley and Brad moved their family to Mankato in 1967, and Brad began working for Kost Ambulance. They purchased the business in 1969, and in 1971, they purchased the Mankato Answering Service. Both Brad and Holley were very hands on owners.

From Minnetonka to Mankato, church to the Chamber of Commerce, Brad was always an active member in the community. When his children were young, Brad formed a Cub Scout pack in Minnetonka and was the Cubmaster. In Mankato, he was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and served as Vestry and Jr./Sr. Warden. He was also President of the Mankato Golf Club, Board of Directors for the Mankato Area United Way, President of the A.M. Exchange Club, Board of Trustees at YWCA, Leadership Mankato, and the Director of the Mankato Area Chamber of Commerce. Brad was inducted into the Business Hall of Fame through the Greater Mankato Chamber, MSU Hall of Distinction, President of the Minnesota Professional Towing Association, Exalted Ruler of Mankato Elks Lodge 225 and was in the Softball Hall of Fame. Brad will be greatly missed by everyone who was blessed to know him.

Brad is survived by his sisters; Anne Austin, Janet (Bob) Snook and Carol (Glen) Medenwald; sons, John Jr. (Penny), Kent (Ann), Bob (Mary), and Dan (Kim); daughter, Mary (Mike Fox); grandchildren, Katie, Christina, Alicia, Jenilee, Jessica, Matt, Megan, Jenny, Beth, Nico, Maria, Sophia, Mike, Sheryl, Alexis, Landon and Ethan; 30 great-grandchildren; as well as many other extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Holley; grandson, Alexander; brothers-in-law, Jerry Manning and Hershel Austin.