Dale Loid "Sonny" Bradeen

Dale Loid "Sonny" Bradeen, age 85, a lifelong resident of the greater Kettle Falls, WA area passed away due to pancreatic cancer on February 10, 2024 at his home.  Sonny was born on Aug. 30, 1938 in Nespelem, WA the son of Ralph "Brick" and Dorothy Ann (Sublie) Bradeen.  Sonny was a very proud member of the Colville Confederated Tribes.

He attended grade school in the Old Daisy School house, Marcus and Colville High School.  There he met Geraldine Eddleman and they began a friendship that led to a marriage of 15 years.  Sonny and Geraldine began a family with the births of their three children, Mary, Rick and LeAnne.  They resided in the communities of Northport, Kelly Hill and Rice.  Following the dissolution of their marriage, Sonny was reintroduced to Laura Mitchell, whom he had also dated in high school.  They were married in 1973 and their love was the beginning of an adventure that lasted 47 years together.  Laura preceded him in death in 2020.

Sonny's career began working in the woods with his dad when he was 16 years old, logging with horses and continued until his first retirement at the age of 80.  He loved working in the woods and operated Bradeen Logging working for himself and others into the 1980's.  He then went to work logging for Colville Confederated Tribes for many years.   Sonny then set the heavy equipment and chain saw aside and began driving truck.  He drove his own truck for a time and then drove for Mike Stensgar.  Sonny retired from log truck driving at the age of 80.  He wasn't without work more than a few weeks when he accepted the position of shuttle bus driver and began driving the tribal shuttle van between Inchelium and Nespelem.  He absolutely loved this job and thought it was incredible to have paid holidays and vacation time.  His second and final retirement began when the shuttle service was discontinued for several months due to COVID.

Sonny found solace in the outdoors and even when he wasn't working, he would be hunting, camping, fishing and horseback riding. A couple of his best fishing buddies was his nephew Danny Bradeen and wife Monica.  Nothing was better than having family and friends around the campfire with horses, pack mules, kids and good story telling running freely through the campsite.  He participated in 28 years of elk hunts in the Blue Mountains with close friends, Butch Fletcher, Del Sage and Delbert Rieckers, just to name a few.  Sonny also organized the annual Hell Gate Ride each Memorial Day Weekend.  One of his favorite events of all, family and friends came from far and near to participate.

Sonny was known by all to be honest, kind and would give you anything he had to help you if you needed it.  He shared his opinion with reservation but only when he felt words were necessary.  He always said "I keep my religion in one pocket and politics in another".  Sonny cherished the teaching moments when he could share his knowledge of horses and mules, fishing technique, fire starting and the art of make a string bow with the kids.  So very missed, will be his company on the trips to casino and his conversation over the daily phone calls. Rest in Peace Dad, in my heart forever.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Laura; a daughter, LeAnne Bradeen; nephew, Jim Bradeen and his brothers, Donny and Bud Bradeen.  Also, his beloved and trusted mule Thumper, his friend for 37 years.

He is survived by his daughter, Mary Thorn (Jim) of Moses Lake, WA; son, Rick Bradeen of San Antonio, TX; sister, Arleita Campbell (Jim) of Edwall, WA; grandchildren, Jennifer Depo, Lisa Bechyne, Renee Thorn, Reenie Panni; great grandchildren, Hailey, Sawyer and Darby; great-great grand daughter, Alice and a host of extended family and friends.

A celebration of Sonny's life will be held on April 20, 2024 at 11:00 am at the Kettle Falls Gun Club.  A pot luck lunch and social time will follow.  Memorial contributions may be given any local Animal Shelter.