Walter (Wally) Edward Bratt, lover of rocks, history, and politics, died January 17, 2024 in Amery, WI.

Born on August 13, 1929, Wally was the son of Rose and Walter Bratt, hailing from South Minneapolis. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Carola, his parents, and his brother the Reverend John Bratt.

Wally graduated high school from Minnehaha Academy and completed his bachelor’s degree in Geology at the University of Minnesota, while also enrolled in ROTC. After graduating, he served in the Air Force in northern Alaska. Following his military service, he briefly worked for Gulf Oil Company in Texas but soon realized that his home was in Minneapolis. On June 19, 1959, he married Carola Palmberg. Throughout his career, Wally worked as an engineer for Honeywell, Rosemount Engineering, and Control Data, and as a hydrologist for Johnson Well Screens. He also helped found Bratt Tree Company with his sons, Jonathan and Stanley. Beyond his professional endeavors, Wally was an active member of his community. He dedicated decades to serving on the Hennepin County Park Board and the Minneapolis Park Board, making significant contributions to the establishment of the Light Rail System as well as preventing Northern State Power Company from diverting Saint Anthony Falls to a much larger hydroelectric plant.

Wally was a lifelong member of the Covenant Church where he found joy in singing in choirs. He loved to travel and was eager to share photos and stories from his journeys to China, Chile, and Mexico, as well as many canoe trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Quetico Provincial Park. He had particularly fond memories of trips to Yellowstone and Alaska with his son Stanley and daughter-in-law Teri. He was a voracious reader of historical and geological texts, filling pages with highlights and notes. With his passing, we lose a library of knowledge.

Wally is survived by his two sons, Jonathan Bratt (Karen) and Stanley Bratt (Teri), along with his granddaughters Anika Bratt (Ross), Annalise Walsh (Connor), and Johnna Bratt (Josh). Additionally, he leaves behind four great-grandsons. A private memorial and burial have been organized, with the Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Amery handling the arrangements.

Last Update: Jan 26, 2024 4:42 pm CST