Ranae Elizabeth Bradford was born on August 15, 1975, in Taiwan. Through a series of miraculous circumstances she arrived in the United States in the care of her oldest brother, Dan Bradford, and was welcomed into the loving arms of her parents, Reed Howard Bradford and Shirley Aamodt Bradford. Reed and Shirley had felt strongly impressed to add through adoption their two youngest children, Ryan and Ranae. The six older children have memories of the great love that was extended to Ryan and Ranae by immediate and extended family members as well as many others.
Ranae grew up in Provo, Utah, where she attended Wasatch Elementary and Farrer Junior High, eventually graduating from Provo High School. Life took a dramatic turn when Ranae’s mother passed away in 1993, followed by her father in 1994. Ranae continued to live with her sister Marleen and brother Ryan for a while and was then invited to live for a time with her neighbors, the Melby family. Alan and Ulla-Britta Melby lovingly nurtured Ranae that year, and she became good friends with their daughters.
As a teenager, Ranae had a “crush” on Michael J. Fox and said that for several months her mother went with her regularly to watch the “Back to the Future” movies. Ranae had a love for animals, particularly her dog Astro, a beloved Boston Terrier. When Astro died, she continued to share her love for other dogs throughout the remainder of her life. She loved football and was an avid fan of Peyton Manning and the Green Bay Packers. She also enjoyed the band “Rush” and traveled all over the country to attend their concerts.
Ranae was bright and intelligent. She worked for a variety of companies and was successful as a recruiter, event planner, and administrative assistant. During her life she also lived in Virginia and California.
Ranae once wrote about the sudden passing of a former friend and said, “Her passing makes me think we all need to be understanding, caring, and kind. . . so my message is: love all of those around you, tell them, show them.”
Ranae passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 28, 2024, from complications of pneumonia, sepsis, and organ failure. She was 48 years old and will be greatly missed by her many loved ones and friends.
She is survived by her love and companion Troy Rees and his daughters Jacelyn and Aliyah. She is also survived by her siblings Mary Rasmussen (Jeff), Sharon Leigh (Michael), Dan Bradford (Eileen), Ray Bradford (Laurie), Randall Bradford (Melissa), Ryan Bradford, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Reed and Shirley, her sister Marleen, and her nephew Parker Bradford.
There will be no formal viewing, but a visitation with family and friends will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 10:00-10:45 a.m. at the Spring Creek Mortuary, 737 North Main Street, Springville, Utah. Services will take place at 11:00 a.m. at the same location. Interment will follow at the Spanish Fork Cemetery, 420 South 400 East.
Condolences can be offered at www.springcreekmortuary.com.
