Brad James Merkel

Brad James Merkel of Bismarck, ND, died unexpectedly on March 31, 2016. He was 51 years old. A prayer service will be held at 7:30 pm on Monday, April 4, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with visitation starting at 6:30 pm. Funeral services will be at Brandon Valley Assembly of God in Brandon, SD on Wednesday, April 6, at 10:00 am. Brad was born on May 21, 1964, in Minot, ND, to Arnold and Beverly (Brych) Merkel. He graduated from Minot High School in 1982. In 1988, he married his sweetheart, (goose) Heidi Vannett. Together they raised their three children, Tyler, Kendra, and Noah. For several years Brad managed different Pizza Huts in Minot and Valley City. The family then moved to Brandon, SD, where he worked for CBC Inovis until 2014. His new career began when the family moved to Bismarck, ND, working for Malloy Electric. In his spare time, Brad had a passion for the outdoors. Together with his friends and family they would fish, hunt, and camp. He loved cheering for the Dallas Cowboys and riding his motorcycle. Brad is survived by his wife, Heidi Merkel (Vannett); their children, Tyler, Noah, Kendra, and his future son-in-law, Robert Ramm; his brothers and their wives, Brian and Stacy Merkel and Barry and Lilly Merkel; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Claude and Carol Vannett. He also had many aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Beverly (Brych) Merkel; his brother, Brett Merkel; and his grandparents, Robert and Erna Scott and Eddy and Elizabeth Brych. Brad was a supportive and loving husband and father and will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.