Brad Krick, the newly elected mayor of Belle Plaine, died of cancer on Tuesday at age 68.

The retired head of public works for the city in which he had spent most of his life, Krick last fall ousted the city's then-mayor, Tom Meger, winning 62 percent of the vote.

But his cancer diagnosis came a little over a week after he took office. He presided over two council meetings but missed one on Feb. 2 because of a surgery to remove an egg-size tumor from his brain.

The diagnosis came as a big surprise, said David Murphy, the city administrator. "He was a vigorous, outspoken man who during the election was out walking the whole city, door to door."

The mayor serves only a two-year term, he said, so a special election won't be needed. The council likely will appoint a new mayor, who may be one of its own.

Krick was born in Worthington, Minn., and grew up on a farm. He was married in 1962 in Las Vegas. He worked in construction at first, then for the city for 28 years. He was superintendent of public works for nine years, retiring in 2002.

A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Friday at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Belle Plaine. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Kolden Funeral Home, Belle Plaine, continuing one hour before the service at the church on Friday.

Survivors include his wife, Lee Ann; his daughter, Kim, of Jordan; sons Bret and Brooks, of Belle Plaine; and six grandchildren.

DAVID PETERSON