Brady Larson, 29, Valley City, ND passed away August 16, 2023.  There will be visitation on Friday, August 25 from 5:00-6:00 PM and a prayer service with a time to share stories beginning at 6:00.  His celebration of life will be on Saturday, August 26 at 1:10 PM.  The visitation, prayer service and celebration of life will be held in the North Dakota Winter Show Building in Valley City.  The services will be live streamed, then archived, on a link provided along with his obituary on his tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com.  An online guestbook is available there as well.  Please note these events are NOT formal, you are encouraged to wear your derby gear or something else that Brady would appreciate.  If you would like to bring your derby car and leave it on the trailer, we will have spots for you to park.

Brady Alan Larson was born in Valley City, ND on April 28, 1994, to Alan and Janie (Schmidt) Larson.  He grew up in Valley City and was a member of the VCHS Class of 2013.  After high school, Brady went on to NDSCS in Wahpeton, ND where he earned his associate degree.  He worked at Hi-Line Electric and Grotberg Electric both in Valley City before going to his current employer, Forklifts of ND.

Though his education and job experience were as an electrician and mechanic, his heart was always in the derby world. His Facebook even listed his job as “full time derby driver”. Brady spent countless hours working in the shop on cars with his dad. Brady got his drivers license the day he turned 15, and the very next Saturday he was in Hope, ND, driving a demolition derby car. This is where he won his first of many championships, along with the Mad Dog award for the hardest, most aggressive hits. He immediately fell in love with derbies. From that moment on, he derbied anytime, anywhere.  He traveled across the country and made many friends who became like family.  He was a teammate that could be counted on and a mentor to young and old alike.

In March of 2017, he fell in love all over again, this time with Brianna Shockman. She found his soft side, though he’d never admit it. She was his biggest supporter – she was always in the shop and attended every derby she could. On a wonderful vacation to Mexico in January 2023, Brady finally asked Brianna to marry him. In May they moved into their first home together and quickly made it their own.

Brady is survived by his parents, Al and Janie Larson; his fiancé, Brianna Shockman; siblings, Adam (Staci Dreyer) Larson and Angela (Wyatt) Gentzkow; grandparents, Arlene Larson, Luddy Schmidt, Loretta Schmidt, and Kathy and Don Burke; along with his aunts, uncles, and cousins.  He also leaves Bri’s family; his derby family; and countless friends.

He was preceded in death by grandfathers, Doug Larson and Keith Bakke; aunts, Barb Brand and Charlin Wigen; and close friends, Andrew Sadek and Wyatt Hatcher. 

The Lerud Mathias Funeral Home is assisting Brady’s family with arrangements.