MarcJon Brakke

MarcJon Evan "MJ" Brakke, age 9, of North Mankato and formerly of Mitchell, SD, passed away on Monday, November 27, 2023, at Gillette Children's Hospital in St. Paul, MN. Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 1, 2023, at the Hosanna Lutheran Church Main Campus located at 105 Hosanna Drive, Mankato, MN. The burial will be on a later date at the Sundown Lutheran Cemetery in rural Springfield, MN. A visitation will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., all at the Hosanna Lutheran Church Main Campus in Mankato, MN.

The Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Morgan and Redwood Falls are in charge of the arrangements. E-mail condolences may be sent via www.nelson-hillestad.com.

MarcJon Evan "MJ" Brakke, the son of Sabreena and Eric (Schmitz) Michel, was born on June 7, 2014 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He attended North Elementary School in St. Peter, MN. MJ was a member of First Lutheran Church in Mitchell, SD.

MJ had a vibrant personality that shone brightly through his beautiful spirit. He found great delight in the simple pleasures of life that brought him immense happiness. Riding in the van and feeling the rumble strips beneath his wheels always brought a smile to MJ's face. He had a deep love for music and would often be seen joyfully tapping along to the rhythm or playing with his cat piano and drums.

One of MJ's cherished pastimes was watching cartoons on his iPad. The colorful characters would come to life before his eyes, filling his heart with wonder and laughter. His favorite songs like "Hokie Pokey," "Five Little Pumpkins," and "Five Little Elves" filled him with delight and sparked endless giggles.

Being outdoors was a true source of joy for MJ, whether it was exploring Falls Park in Sioux Falls, enjoying the beauty of State Park in Luverne, or simply strolling through the neighborhood park. These moments allowed MJ to connect with nature and marvel at its wonders.

MJ's treasures were not limited to music and outdoor adventures; he also adored his toys dearly. Each playtime became an opportunity for him to unleash his imagination and create magical worlds of his own making. His tickle times were particularly special to him - moments of pure bliss filled with contagious laughter that warmed the hearts of those lucky enough to share them with him.

MJ will forever be remembered as a radiant light who touched the lives of everyone he met. His courageous spirit and ability to find joy in the simplest of things were an inspiration to us all. Though his time with us was too short, his impact will be felt for a lifetime.

MJ is survived by his adoring mother and father, Sabreena and Eric Michel, who provided him with unconditional love and support throughout his journey. He leaves behind his beloved brothers, Bishop and Hudson, as well as his sister, Winslow; grandparents, Jon and Kristine Schmitz of Mitchell, SD, Steve and Barbara Michel of Richland Center, WI; great grandparents, Gene and Beverly Thorston of Springfield, MN, Glenn and Frances Schmitz of Springfield, MN; aunts, Samantha (Andrew) Konechne of Dell Rapids, SD, Jackie (Pat) Johnson of Madison, WI; uncles, Joshua (Sarah) Schmitz of Mitchell, SD, Jeremiah (Chloe) Schmitz of Sioux Falls, SD, Scott (Katie) Michel of Deerfield, WI; cousins, Charlotte, Owen and Merek Konechne, Logan and Taynton Johnson, McKenna, Miley, James and John Michel; and a host of other extended family members and friends.

Let us celebrate the life of MarcJon Evan "MJ" Brakke - a shining star who continues to light up our hearts even from above. May his spirit guide us towards appreciating life's simple pleasures and reminding us of the power of love.