Sandra Kay Brakke, 82, of Kasson, Minnesota passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, May 29th. Sandy was born on May 12th, 1944 in Kasson, Minnesota to Leslie and Margaret Beckman. Sandy grew up on the family farm and graduated from Kasson-Mantorville High School in 1962. In December of that same year, she married her high school sweetheart, David Brakke. They made their home in the Southport area of Rochester and raised their son and daughter there for 30 years. In time, they eventually moved to David’s family-farm and boyhood home in Byron. Sandy was married to Dave for nearly 60 years until his death in 2021. Upon her husband’s passing, Sandy moved back to Kasson.
While Sandy’s children were young, she operated a home daycare. She played an integral part as caregiver and “daycare mom” to dozens of children. As her children grew, Sandy was employed by Olmsted County Public Works and Social Services for over 20 years until her retirement.
Sandy enjoyed spending time with family (especially her grandchildren) and friends, dancing, traveling to Las Vegas, and her aptly-named cat, Lucky
Apart from her family, Sandy’s greatest passion was always her singing. She loved country music and recorded her own album. Her family remembers Sandy performing at numerous gatherings and filling her home with melody. Sandy was given the honor of performing at the legendary Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. In later years, Sandy could be found singing karaoke around the Rochester-area while operating her own karaoke business.
Sandy’s loved ones know she is now singing joyfully and dancing in the arms of her beloved Dave on the other side of eternity.
Sandy is survived by her children, Michael David Brakke (Heidi Holmes) of Byron and Melissa
Scott (Jay) of Wabasha; and her grandchildren: Jason, Emily and Nickolas Scott, and Devin Fitzgerald and Jacob and Jaden Holmes. Also survived by siblings Rodney Beckman, Vickie
Harris (Charles) and sister-in-law Judy Young (Wayne); and many nieces and nephews. She
was preceded in death by her husband, David; parents Leslie and Margaret Beckman; brother
Kent Beckman; sister-in-law Lois McGovern; and nephews Brad McGovern and Jeff McGovern.
A private family service will take place at Bethel Lutheran in Rochester. Extended family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life for Sandy at Rooster’s Barn & Grill (2280 Superior Drive NW) on Saturday, June 6th from noon until 3pm.
