James Bradley Tate

James Bradley Tate, known by many as Brad, of Carroll, IA passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at the age of 88.

Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church – St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll with Fr. Patrick Behm officiating. Music for service will be by Kathy Halbur and Jake Gute. Casket bearers will be Dave Walker, Ken Myers, Tristan Smith, Brandon Tate, Brady Brehmer, and Hyson Blitz.  Burial will be in St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery in Vail with military honors by the Iowa National Guard.

Visitation for Brad will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll, IA, prior to the funeral service.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude for the wonderfully compassionate and caring Nurses, CNA’s, Religious Staff, Physical and Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Activities Directors, Dietary Aids and Maintenance Staff, and residents who became friends at St. Anthony Nursing Home who filled his days with shared laughter, love and support.

Brad was a lifelong member of the Catholic church, devout in his faith. Even after suffering a stroke, he walked a mile daily to attend services at St. Patrick's Parish. As a continuation of his devotion, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation could be made online to Catholic Charities Diocese of Des Moines in honor of James Bradley Tate. https://www.catholiccharitiesdm.org/contribute/donate-2/

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Brad was born January 14, 1936, the only son of James and Hattie Tate, on the family farm just south of Denison, IA. As was common during that time, doctors would file the record of birth at a later date. Unfortunately for Brad, when enlisting in the National Guard in 1958 he discovered it was never filed, and as a result was unable to provide a Certificate of Birth. Upon resolution he served in the National Guard from 1958 to 1964.

In the fall of 1962 at a local dance in Charter Oak, he met the love of his life, Marian Ida Kastengren, later picking her up for their first date in an airplane. They married on October 26, 1963.They were blessed with eleven children born from 1964 to 1984.

Brad worked for AO Smith Harvestore, which allowed the family to travel to and reside in Idaho, Nebraska, Kansas, and Tennessee. In 1984 Brad relocated his family back home to Iowa, settling in Coon Rapids. Upon returning, Brad continued his education by obtaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, IA in 1990, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to obtain a Master’s Degree from Creighton University in Omaha, NE, in Theology and International Relations.

In his later years, he worked for Region 12 WIT, transporting riders to appointments throughout the state. He also drove the Head Start bus for children ages 3 and 4. Being a jokester, he enjoyed this job the most. His deepest laughter came from reactions of children when declaring sheep say “ribbit” and chocolate milk comes from brown cows. During the winter months, he told the kids the light drifting snow on the road were snow snakes crossing the street. These are just a few examples of his abundant silly assertions. Everyone who met Brad, got to see and experience his sense of humor. He was always lightly teasing and joking to make everyone laugh and smile.

Throughout his life, Brad had a passion for horticulture and spent most of his leisure time in his gardens growing many varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. For those who had the opportunity to walk Papa Tate’s gardens alongside him, there was an expectation to smell or taste whatever he presented (even if it was only cleaned by a quick rub on his shirt pocket).

In January of 2019, Brad and Marian moved into St. Anthony Nursing Home, where he continued to flourish in life. His interactions with the residents and the staff led to making friendships and joyous memories of joking and playing pranks to brighten everyone's mood. He found a love in completing puzzles, many of which are framed and hang on the walls of the nursing home and in the homes of his loved ones.

Brad will be greatly missed by all who got to know him in his life. Brad was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Marian Tate, his father James L. Tate, his mother, Hattie Tate, his half brothers Les Beerman and Lowell Beerman, and his beloved grandson, Dillon Tate.

Brad is survived by his eleven children: Ann Walker (Dave), Kathy Myers (Ken), Patricia Tate, Julie Judge (Garth), James J. Tate (Gina), Michael Tate (Miriam), Brian Tate (Amie), Thomas Tate (Bea), Gregory Tate (Karrie), Donna Tate (Jason Mena), and Tate Jawdat, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren