Edward L. Bratt, 89, of Casper, Wyoming passed away on Monday, June 26, 2016 at his home. He was born in Harrison, Nebraska, the son of the Reverend Lawrence W. and Bernice (Bolton) Bratt on September 14, 1927.
He and his family lived in several communities in Nebraska where his father served as minister of the local Methodist Church. He graduated from high school in Chattanooga, Tennessee where his father was serving as chaplain in the U.S. Army.
Mr. Bratt joined the Army in 1946 as served in the Finance Division until his discharge in 1947. He attended the University of Nebraska and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Upon graduation, he was employed by the J.C. Penney Co. in Lincoln, Nebraska.
On July 1, 1951 he married Joyce Dudek in Grand Island, Nebraska. They made their home in Lincoln until Mr. Bratt was transferred to Topeka, Kansas in 1954 and to Bismarck, North Dakota in 1960. In 1961, he became manager of a store in Kansas City, Missouri and then managed 2 stores in Denver. In 1967 he was transferred to Casper to manage the store here. In 1974, he and his wife opened the Coast to Coast Hardware Store on CY Avenue which they owned until August of 1993, at which time the sold the store due to Mr. Bratt’s poor health.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church; former member of the Casper Kiwanis Club; past member, serving 2 terms, of the Board of Directors of the Casper Area Chamber of Commerce; the Downtown Merchants Association; past member of the Board of Directors of the West Side Wyoming National Bank; past Commodore of the Casper Boat Club; former member of the Boy Scouts Advisory Board in the Denver Council and the Wyoming Council; Casper Air Modelers; Masonic Lodge; Scottish Rite Masons and the Shriners.
Mr. Bratt loved the outdoors, and enjoyed hiking, fishing and hunting. He and his wife liked spending time at their home in Jackson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Wendell and his wife, Joyce. He is survived by his daughter, Mindy Sue Sheckler and her husband Bill of Rock Springs, WY; Son, Martin William Bratt and his wife Theresa of Powell, WY; 6 grandchildren, Aimee Crosby and husband Nicholas of Afton, WY, Brian Sheckler and wife Stephanie of Santa Cruz, CA, Christopher Sheckler and wife Amber of Denver, CO, Demrie Bratt of Laramie, WY, Kylie Stern and husband Justin of Encampment, WY and Drayson Bratt and wife Caitlyn of Lander, WY; and 6 great grandchildren, Davin, Kyson, Jamen, and Brynlee Crosby and Dawson and Amos Stern.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 10, 2017 at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church with the Pastor Mary Shivers Schmidt officiating. Inurnment will follow at Highland Cemetery with military honors afforded by the United States Army and the Natrona County United Veterans Council. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 332 E 2nd St. Casper, Wyoming 82601.
