Florence Lillian Brenden

Florence Lillian Brenden, 99, of Portland, ND, passed away January 9, 2016 at the Luther Memorial Home in Mayville, ND. Florence was born on December 25, 1916 the third oldest of 13 children, to Olaf & Inga (Holm) Flaten. She attended Viking school and worked for several area families until her marriage on December 21, 1935 to Helmer Brenden. They lived and worked on Helmer’s Family Farm in Viking Township, where they raised their daughter, Jane. Florence and Helmer lived on the farm until 1982, when they moved to Portland due to Helmer’s health. Helmer passed away in 1983. Florence’s life was filled with friends and family. She was always giving of her time and would offer help to others, no matter what the need. She loved music and composed many piano pieces for her own enjoyment and sang in her church choir. Her love of nature and animals, especially the wild ones, was as unique as she was. She fed the wildlife around her family farm and called them her friends; most dear to her where the birds, deer, raccoons and chipmunks, which trusted her enough to come up and greet her. She fostered a baby deer, Bambi, in her home until it was old enough to return to the wild. Florence was an active member of Bruflat Lutheran Church for 80 years, where she taught Sunday school to many of the area children. She was active in her community and spent many years volunteering her time, including at Luther Memorial Home where she played piano, sang and led Rhythm Band for the residents. In December of 2013, she moved to the Luther Memorial Home, where she remained until her passing. Florence was a very special person who lived her life with joy and grace and will be greatly missed by her friends and family. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law: Jane & Terry McLeod of Fort Collins, CO; granddaughters: Kari Meyer (Dan) and Julie McLeod; great grandchildren: Daniella Campbell (Lee), Kalin Aberle, Madelyn Meyer and Maxwell Meyer; great-great grandchildren: Otto Lee Campbell IV and Dahlia Campbell; her siblings: Inez Hanson, James Flaten (Alivia), Olaf Flaten (Ruth), Donna Walstad and numerous nieces and nephews. Florence is preceded in death by husband: Helmer; her parents; siblings: Ruth, Cliff, Art, Marion, Claudine, Ione, Glenn and Mardell. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Bruflat Cemetery, where Florence and Helmer spent many years caring for the grounds that are now their final resting place. Visitation: Will be from 5–7 PM on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at the Baker Funeral Home Chapel and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Service: 10:30 AM Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at the Bruflat Lutheran Church in Portland, ND. Burial: Will be at the Bruflat Cemetery in Portland, ND.