Heidi Kristel Bramstedt, a dear child of God, was born March 21, 1973, in St. Louis, Missouri to parents, the Rev. Terrill and Mary Bramstedt. Heidi became an adopted child of God through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on April 8, 1973, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Graver, Missouri.

Heidi joined her sister, Rebecca, in the young family while Terrill was a student at Concordia Seminary. Mary was also a nursing student at Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing. Upon graduation from the seminary the family moved to North Dakota where Pastor Bramstedt served parishes at Lehr and Napoleon, and Hillsboro and Grandin.

July 15, 1981, Heidi was severely head-injured in an auto accident in Fargo. She spent seven and a half months in hospitals, then returned home to live with her family, sisters Rebecca, Meghan, Bronwyn, and later brother Matthew. The Hillsboro and Grandin communities and St. John's Lutheran Church and Grace Lutheran Church sponsored many community fund-raising events to support Heidi and family during this tragedy and the years following. Our family has never forgotten their generosity, support, and prayers. Heidi attended school through the second grade in Hillsboro, and then special education classes Peoria, Illinois, and Brookings, South Dakota, living with her family until in her twenties. She then lived in group homes and Bethesda Lutheran Home in Watertown, Wisconsin, most recently at St. Coletta's Dower House in Jefferson, Wisconsin. Through the years Heidi experienced many health and well-being challenges, hospitalized many times.

Heidi died Monday, November 17, 2025, at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, where she had been in the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit for six weeks. Heidi's family knows that they are the persons they are because of dear Heidi and the blessing she was to us all.

Heidi is survived by parents, the Rev. and Mary Bramstedt of New London, Minnesota: sisters, Rebecca (Gregory) Brantner of New Virginia, Iowa, Meghan Bramstedt of Milwaukee, Wisconsin,  Bronwyn (Zachary) Betz, of Port Washington, Wisconsin, and brother, Matthew Bramstedt of Fredonia, Wisconsin; also nephews and nieces, Connor, Hunter, and Ryker Bramstedt, Elora, Ethan, and Emmelyne Betz; also uncles and aunts.

Heidi's Funeral Service will be held at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Elgin, Minnesota, on Tuesday, November 25, at 11:00 a.m. A Family Prayer Service with a Visitation will be held at the Schleicher Funeral Homes, Plainview Chapel, on Monday, November 24, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Burial will be in the Elgin Cemetery. We commit dearest Heidi to God the Father's loving, eternal care in heaven, through faith in our lord Jesus Christ. "We know that in all things God works together for good for those who love him." Romans 8:28