By Lori Ehde
Some people have a gift for details, and some people have gift for seeing the big picture.
Former Rock County Commissioner Willis J. Brakke, who died Tuesday, New Year's Day, will be remembered as a visionary.
"He was one of those who could see the forest for the trees - and he could sell his plan to people," said County Board member Jane Wildung.
"That's probably his legacy. I think that's why he was so instrumental at the state level, particularly in the Department of Health."
His personality, she said, also made him a valuable public servant. If discussion got heated, the board could often rely on Brakke to ease the tension.
"He always had a sense of humor," Wildung said. "He was a wonderful man."
Brakke served on the Rock County Board of Commissioners for 18 years - a relatively small portion of his 79-year life.
But those are the years that brought out the best in "Bill," and the years he spoke most fondly of.
Tom Brakke said his father enjoyed a rewarding 35-year career with Investors Diversified Services, but his proudest accomplishments were in public service.
"All he said was 'I wish I would have found my calling earlier,'" Tom Brakke said. "When he started (with the County Board) he just thrived. He said to me many times that that was the high point of his life."
One of Brakke's fondest memories of his service on the board is the completion of the courthouse remodeling project in 1989.
"There was nothing like the elation and sense of accomplishment in chairing the building committee in remodeling of the courthouse," he told the Star Herald in a December 1996 interview.
"I lay awake at night wondering what this was going to turn out to be. It was beyond my highest expectations."
Brakke said the courthouse put Rock County on the map in terms of tourism and beauty.
"I was practically giddy when we had our open house and dedication. That was a heady time as far as how proud we were to show it off," he said.
Far-reaching influence
Brakke's love of government involvement extended far beyond the borders of Luverne and Rock County.
There are countless affiliations, committees, task forces and boards that Brakke started, chaired or served on as a member.
He was perhaps most influential in the areas of health and human services. Brakke worked with the state commissioner of human services to establish the County Commissioners' Advisory Committee. He chaired that group, which was set up to provide better contact with the Department of Human Services and input in the state administrative policies.
With the Department of Health, Brakke worked to establish County Commissioner education tracks at the Annual Health Conference, and he served as moderator for these forums.
He was invited in 1988 to testify before Surgeon General C. Edward Koop. He was the only County Commissioner in the nation invited to the conference for state legislators in New York.
Brakke's influence at the State Department of Health came sharply into focus when several state officials attended a playful "roast" in his honor at a county holiday party. State Epidemiologist Mike Osterholm emceed the event.
Brakke was involved with mental health for 37 years. When Rock, Nobles and Pipestone counties were establishing the Southwestern Mental Health Center in 1959, he and Mort Skewes were Rock County's representatives in that effort.
Brakke was the only County Commissioner to be asked to work on a national report of the Mental Health of Rural America during the farm crisis of the mid-'80s.
In 1991, he won the Region V Distinguished Service Award for his significant contributions to community mental health.
Retiring with honor
At age 74, Brakke decided not to file for re-election to the board. In a December 1996 interview with the Star Herald, he said it was the hardest thing he'd ever done.
"The past 18 years have been the most enjoyable years of my life," Brakke told the Star Herald in an interview for a story about his retirement.
"I enjoyed government service and the satisfaction that I might be doing some good for others. I'm going to miss the feeling of belonging to the county family. I was a commissioner, and I was proud of it," he said.
Brakke capped his government career by earning the Association of Minnesota Counties Outstanding Service Award. In nominating him for the award, his fellow Rock County Commissioners proudly supported him.
"He has waved the banner of accomplishments of county government through his myriad of responsibilities in civic organizations as well as his church," the nomination read.
"Bill makes everyone aware of the wonderful job county government does in delivering services to the people of the state. His commitment to county government is well-known as he meets with city, county, regional, state and national officials. He is a true 'cheerleader' for county government."
When asked about his retirement plans, Brakke said he looked forward to traveling more, "and hopefully our health will permit us to continue that," he said.
Sadly his health did not permit much in the way of any significant retirement plans. The following summer, in June 1997, he underwent surgery for an ulcerative stomach, and last year he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday.