Bradley Christopher Rutherford was born on May 30, 1965 in Denison, Iowa to Lanny and Maureen (House) Rutherford. He passed away at his home in Estherville on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at age of 60. Brad’s illness was short but if you knew Brad in life he never stuck around long anywhere. A funeral service for Brad will be held on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Estherville with Deacon John Rudd officiating. A visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2025 from 5-7 p.m. at Henry-Olson Funeral Home in Estherville.
Brad spent his younger years in Danbury, Iowa and grew up in Manilla, Iowa graduating from Manilla High School. He later made his home in Estherville, where he has worked at Moveero (GKN) for almost 27 years. Brad was united in marriage to Rhonda Olson on August 24, 2019 at a ceremony at their home in Estherville.
Brad was a meat man’s best friend. He loved a good meat deal, even though his freezer would be full. Brad was known for grilling or smoking something almost daily. If you had a question on how to smoke or grill something or what seasoning to use Brad was the man you would call. Brad was known for calling people on the weekends in the early morning hours, just to say “Good Morning.” He would ask what are you making for the day, then end it with “Ok got to go!” and a short chuckle, truly thinking he just enjoyed irritating his sons.
Brad was an avid baseball, football, and NASCAR fan. He was a huge Chicago Cubs fan, but loved his Chicago Bears and Iowa Hawkeyes. On race day you would see Brad sitting on his stool at the end of his kitchen counter cheering on Kyle Larson. Brad and Rhonda would take Sunday morning drives, He had to drive by family and friends homes just to make sure they were still standing. In the summers you would see Brad and Rhonda on their golf cart riding up 13th street headed to Renae’s house then stopping at Rodney and Dawn’s for a quick hello. Brad loved spending time with his boys, grandkids, nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family. He enjoyed a big family gathering with him grilling or smoking up something good. If you stopped over to see Brad you would walk in to find him listening to music and sipping on a cold “saspy.”
Brad is survived by his wife Rhonda, his sons Jeremy (Sasha) Rutherford, Brett (Molly) Rutherford, Aaron Rutherford; step-sons Tim (Kelsey) Olson and Jacob (Christi) Zufall; seven grandchildren Greysen, Beckem, Bryce, Maximus, Cambrie, Preston, and Izan; six step-grandchildren Lewis, Hannah, Kayla, William, Anya, and Mia; and eight step-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Shari (Rusty) Ransom, Kellie Olson, and Dawn (Rodney) Hockett; sister-in-law Renae Rierson; and brothers-in-law Bruce Olson and Troy Olson.
Brad is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers-in-law Mike Olson, Bob Olson, and Timothy Olson, and step-son Caleb Zufall.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com. Henry-Olson Funeral Home of Estherville is assisting the family with arrangements.
