Brady Mikkelson set to retire, move

CRESCO - When it comes to “loving life” there may not be a single soul on earth more positive and more infectious than Brady Mikkelson. 

Adopted by the entire community of Cresco, young and old alike, Mikkelson has lived a life that has seen him put smile after smile on individuals around town, usually followed by a hug. 

Born with Down’s Syndrome, Mikkelson was often found working at Fareway Foods in Cresco, and most recently at the Howard Winneshiek School, usually in the high school building.  He had retired from Fareway last year, and finished his final day at the school on Friday, Jan. 31, having started just several years back.

When caught at the school for some photos, Brady pointed out that he enjoyed his job, but mostly the many students, teachers and staff.  

“My favorite part of my job is making friends,” said Brady with a big grin.  “Everyone really treats me well and I like having friends.”

Brady has been working at the school since 2021 and does an excellent job, always keeping busy and knowing exactly what he has to do to complete his duties. He was running a vacuum in the entrance of the high school where his photo was taken, totally unsupervised.

Upon completing his final duties at the school on Friday, a Retirement Party was held for Brady at the George Chaplin Hall in the basement of the Cresco Theatre.  A nice crowd came to wish Mikkelson a “farewell” from Cresco, as he’ll be moving to Waverly where his sister Tara lives.  His mother has since passed, and living with his sister will be a nice change for him as he continues to get older, currently at age 53. 

As an adopted citizen of Cresco, Brady has had some “excellent moments” throughout his life.  

When going to Sue-Z-Q’s for breakfast, he gets his own plate, which is much larger than what others get, all loaded with food that he had ordered that day.  

He was often found announcing football, softball, baseball or basketball games on Super C Radio as a “guest announcer,” and was seen in numerous parades, often riding with Bryan Sheehy in a new car, promoting the former H&S Motors.  

Brady also loves to ride bike and when weather was nice would peddle to work, wearing his signature white helmet.  He would stop at local stores to see owners and just say “hi,” at times. 

What’s most amazing about him, however, is the many positive stories when asking around . . . especially those attending his retirement party.  

 

Stories About Brady

• Mark Grinhaug - Grinhaug had worked with Brady at the school as a part-time custodian.  “One time Brady was grumbling about the vacuum not working, and I had teased him about having to pay for a new one, which got him a little riled up. He just smiled after I told him it wasn’t broke. Brady is definitely a prominent figure in our community, and has been for along time.”

Grinhaug may have said it best, “You are never a stranger with Brady.  Once you’ve met him, you are friends for life.”

• Amanda Henkes – “When working at Fareway many years back, Brady had asked me what I was doing for Valentine’s Day?” said Henkes about Mikkelson, who sacked groceries at the store. “I had said that I was probably going to be working late that night at the store. So when he left that evening, he must have went down to the Plantpeddler and purchased a red rose, which he later gave me that night.  It was so special!  Brady is always doing the unthinkable.”

• Don Lindstrom - Don had known Brady much of his life and has always been a friend and neighbor with him.  “I have a few stories, but instead I’ll tell you about Brady.  He’s one of the most personable, young people I know.  He’ll talk with anyone whether he knows you or not.  Just a likeable guy.”

• Wayne Mashek - Brady was his neighbor for many years, but did have a problem with dogs. especially Mashek’s two dogs. 

“Over the years we’ve been neighbors with Brady and we’re not really sure if he likes dogs or not.  We’ve had two dogs with each being around about 10 years and whenever I took the dog for a walk, Brady would be on the other side of the street.  Whether he likes dogs or not, we’re just not sure. He never came to pet one, but he always waved and smiled.”

Mashek stated he had first met him at the fitness center where he was in charge of the towels.  

“I always thought he worked there, but he was just volunteering and did it for years. It’s tough to see his house being emptied out.  He’s always called me ‘cousin’ even though we’re really not related . . . I have a sister-in-law that is related, however.”

Joe Haskovec - Having announced games throughout the years on Super C Radio of Cresco, Haskovec would have Brady ride with him to away games and often sit with him during the home battles as well. 

“We were going to the State Softball Tournament in Fort Dodge when Brady jumped in my vehicle with his usual backpack and cooler,” stated Haskovec.  “We were driving along on the Interstate when I started getting a little hungry and asked Brady what he had in that cooler of his . . . it was full of only Bud Light.  I said, ‘you can’t drink that in this vehicle,’ and Brady said, ‘you can’t (because you’re driving), but I can!” 

On that same trip, Haskovec stated that he told him to just grab a Mt. Dew, as he always had a few of those in his cooler. So he reached back, grabbed a can and opened it . . . it was a Bud Light!  

“I again said, Brady you can’t have that and I asked him why he opened one up, instead of a Mt. Dew, and he said sorry, but the cooler was full of only beer.”

One of Joe’s best memories of Brady, however, was at the State Boys Basketball championship in 2004, where Crestwood was playing Harlan for the title.  The Cadets had a nice lead against the #1 ranked team in the state, but eventually Harlan whittled the lead down, eventually taking over and winning 60-54.

“I had asked Brady what he thought of the game, and his answer was perfect . . . ‘The boys lost the game, played hard, but had a great season.’  He had summed it up perfectly.”

• Jim Obermann - “We had first moved here in 1988 and Brady had just graduated high school.  I had known his Mom and Brady and I were introduced at the school.  Being an assistant coach and eventually the AD (athletic director), Brady was around the gym and school all the time, helping where he could and attending all our banquets––he rarely missed any of those.”

Obermann told of a time he took Brady to Bubba’s Place many years back before it burned down.  

“Brady wanted to go eat there and the place was packed, so you knew it was going to take a while to get your food”  said Obermann. “Well, the order finally came and Brady’s order came out as fish . . . Brady does not like fish!  So we had to send in another order, with Bubba’s  staff cooking him a plate of chicken.  As you know, chicken can take a long time to cook and he wanted his chicken.  We had sat there about two-and-half-hours before he got his chicken.  So from then on it was an on-going joke . . .’Are you going to order the fish?’ and he would always say, ‘NO, I hate fish!”

• Bill Caffrey - When his daughter was playing high school basketball, Caffrey would often take Brady with him to the games, home or away.  

“We had to travel to Waverly one time and stopped to eat before the game,” said Caffrey. “We ordered steak and the waitress had asked Brady how you like it done?  He said, ‘juicey!’  I’ll never forget that!”

All in all, it was a wonderful going away party for Brady, who hugged just about everyone who attended!  He may be gone for now, but expect to see him at certain special events in Cresco over the next few years . . . and expect some hugs and smiles!