Red Wing Man's Death Touches More Than 60 Lives Via Organ Donation

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- In times of great grief, we often look for meaning.

That came in an unexpected way for a Red Wing woman after losing her husband earlier this month.

Brad Einck was an organ donor, and what he shared with one person was particularly powerful.

"Brad had a very infectious laugh," his wife Kim Einck said. "His smile, his aura, just to be around him made you feel happy."

Einck calls her husband Brad her soulmate, a man who gave everything to her and her son.

"He was an angel, really," Einck said.

The 42-year-old attempted to end his life on Feb. 1, and then suffered a massive stroke that he did not survive.

"Brad and I've always talked about donating if we could," Einck said.

Around that time, Brad's old fraternity brother at Gustavus Adolphus College learned what happened. Pastor Jason Niemi offered to fly in from California to officiate Brad's funeral, at a time when his own brother was dying of liver failure.

And then, both families learned of the greatest gift of all.

"It just happened to be that Brad and him were a match, perfect match," Einck said.

Not only were they a perfect match, Jason's brother Ted was at the top of the organ transplant waiting list.

"It was tears of joy, it was tears of sorrow," Einck said. "It was probably the most intense moment of my life."

Ted was released from the hospital a week after the transplant.

"We can't control what happened to Brad, you know, but we were able to control what happens afterwards," she said. "He gave everything here on Earth while he could. He's still continuing to give."

In all, Brad donated to more than 60 people. Einck says she's grateful he was able help save others' lives.

Click here for more information about organ donation.