LODI, WI - Bradley Thomas Simplot, age 53, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2024, at his home in Lodi, Wis., surrounded by his family.
Brad was born on January 17, 1971, in Oconomowoc, Wis. to Marvin and Catherine (Eichman) Simplot. He grew up in rural Brooklyn, Wis., finding countless opportunities for fun and mischief with brothers, Travis and Jeremy. He graduated from Oregon High School in 1989 as valedictorian and senior class president.
He was a 1994 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he received degrees in Industrial Engineering and Statistics. While attending college, Brad met the love of his life, Sara Uecker. Starting as classmates and project partners, they became fast friends and eventually soulmates. They were married on October 5, 1996, and were blessed with two wonderful children, Abigail and Benjamin.
After graduation, Brad accepted a position with Cooper Industries, working at Kirsch in Sturgis, Mich., for one year and at Champion Spark Plugs in Burlington, Iowa, for eight years. To be nearer to relatives, Brad and his family moved to Lodi, Wis., in 2003. He began working for Rayovac in Portage and soon transitioned to an IT role at their headquarters in Madison. For over 20 years, he remained at Spectrum Brands, where he made many lasting friendships. In 2023, he was excited to begin a challenging new role at Sub-Zero Group in Fitchburg, but that was unfortunately cut short by his cancer diagnosis.
Brad was a devoted and selfless husband and father. He felt that being a good parent was his most important responsibility and readily took on the roles of teacher, mentor, role model, and friend to bring out the best in his kids. He often spent his free time supporting his family, attending countless sporting events, music recitals, science fairs, scout meetings, and any other activities his kids participated in. He was generous with his time and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone without looking for recognition or reciprocation.
Creative, hardworking, intelligent, and quick-witted, Brad pursued objectives with zeal. He was thrifty by nature and could (and would) fix almost anything; yet he was very generous with those in need. An active member of Dekorra Lutheran Church, Brad was on the church council and enjoyed helping with confirmation class and youth gatherings. He loved hunting and fishing, especially in Black River Falls, Canada, and Saint Germain with his extended family and beloved dogs. He also took pleasure in vacationing at favorite spots like Devil's Lake State Park and Florida, as well as exploring new places like US National Parks.
Brad is survived by his wife, Sara Simplot of Lodi, Wis.; his two children, Abby (Garrett) Schreiber of Lodi, Wis. and Ben Simplot (Morgan Mack) of Lodi, Wis.; his parents, Marvin and Catherine Simplot of Highland, Wis.; his two brothers, Travis Simplot of Oregon, Wis. and Jeremy Simplot (Liz Valdez) of Montfort, Wis.; and many other beloved family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in law, Lynn and Anita Uecker.
The family would like to sincerely thank Agrace Hospice Care, SSM Health, and UW Carbone Cancer Center for their compassionate and expert care, and our family and friends for the outpouring of love and support these past 14 months.
Funeral Services honoring Brad's life will be held at DEKORRA LUTHERAN CHURCH, N3099 Smith Road, Poynette, Wis., at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024. A private interment will take place in Garden Bluff Cemetery, Lodi, Wis. A visitation for Brad will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday.
The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to Dekorra Lutheran Church, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation, or
Glioblastoma Foundation.
For more information and online condolences please visit
www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Lodi
Funeral & Cremation Care
157 S Main Street
(608) 592-3201
Published by Lodi Enterprise & Poynette Press from Dec. 13 to Dec. 14, 2024.