Carol Elizabeth Dean Brenna

Carol Elizabeth Dean Brenna, 96, Grand Forks, died Tuesday March 6, 2012 at Woodside Village, 4000 Valley Square.

Carol Elizabeth Dean Brenna was born December 25, 1915 in Union Township in Grand Forks County near Holmes, North Dakota, the daughter of Royce S. and Luella K. (Lee) Dean. At the age of 7, her family moved to Hatton.

Carol attended school in Hatton and the University of North Dakota where she studied English and Music. She continued a love for books, music, the arts, playing the piano, and the ukulele.

Carol was married to Raymond Lynn Brenna of Grand Forks, on August 28, 1938 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Hatton. They had a son, Johnny. She worked for Norby's of Grand Forks Credit Bureau, and the Grand Forks Herald.

Carol was a wonderful cook and collected cookbooks, baking and canning with native berries she grew in her backyard. Potatoes were high on her list of favorite things to cook with. Her father Royce S. Dean was a grower, shipper, and broker of seed potatoes and as a result, she had a strong interest in farming and grew her own vegetables and flower gardens.

Politics was a passion of Carol's that came naturally through her father and grandfather William S. Dean one of North Dakota's first state legislators!

Carol volunteered, held offices, and was the organist for many service organizations including North Dakota Horticulture Society, Thursdays Music Club, Alpha Phi, North Dakota Symphony, North Dakota Museum of Art, Visions for Handicapped, Charter Member of University of North Dakota Foundation Eternal Flame Society - George Stancher Circle, Charter Member of Calvary Lutheran Church, YWCA Board of Directors and many other organizations.

Carol will be well remembered for her spirit of philanthropy and that she gave of herself.

Carol is survived by her adopted son John Brenna, [granddaughter Jill Marie Brenna,] niece Ellen Amb, nephews Randy and "Buzzy" Dean, cousin Mary Martin, and many other cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ray, and her brother William.

Funeral Service: Friday, March 9, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. in Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 S. 42nd St. Grand Forks, ND 58201

Visitation: will be held 1 hour prior to the start of the service in the funeral home.

Interment: Will be held later in the spring.

Those wishing to sign the online register book may do so at www.amundsonfuneralhome.com

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