Richard "Rick" DeWayne Brastad

Richard “Rick” DeWayne Brastad, age 73, of Prior Lake, Minnesota passed away unexpectedly on October 7, 2026 at his home.

Rick was born in Little Falls, Minnesota on January 9, 1953, to Russell and Arlene (Wendland) Brastad. He spent the first couple years of his life on a farm in Little Elk, Minnesota before his family moved to Minneapolis. He attended school in South Minneapolis and graduated in 1972 from Roosevelt High School. He worked for Fairview Riverside Hospital while in High School, then after school he found employment with Brown and Bigelow, Webb Publishing (printing press operator), Quebecor Publishing, and Schmitty and Son’s (as a school bus driver and MVTA special services driver). Rick retired in 2018.

As a kid, Rick loved to go to Randall and stay with his grandparents and play with his cousins who lived nearby. The morning milk run with his uncle was a fun memory for him. Rick enjoyed watching movies and motorcycling with his brother Ron. His love for the water began with the speed boat he bought to cruise the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers.

For over 20 years Rick co-owned a cabin with his mom, Arlene on Lake Ada near Pine River, MN. This was his pride and joy which he enjoyed sharing with family and friends. Many weekends, joyous occasions and year-round fun were spent together at the cabin boating, swimming, water skiing, snowmobiling, golfing and relaxing.

Rick is survived by his brothers Ronald (Constance) Brastad, Gary (Linda) Brastad, and Michael (Kimberly) Brastad; nephew David (Cari) Brastad; nieces Susan (Daniel) Burden, Kylee (Nolan) Byrd; great nephews Samuel and Benjamin Brastad, Nicholas Burden; and many extended family.

Rick was preceded in death by his grandparents Arno and Hilda (Klinker) Wendland, and Einer and Anna (Gilbertsen) Brastad, parents Russell and Arlene (Wendland) Brastad.

Rick was a quiet and gentle man of few words and will be fondly remembered.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 12pm at the VFW located at 1210 3rd Ave NE in Little Falls, MN. A meal will follow at 1 pm. Interment will be an immediate family gathering at the Randall, Minnesota City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association.