Darlyne Yvonne Brenna

Darlyne Yvonne (Langlie) Brenna was born May 10, 1935 to Gilfred and Othilia (Devold) Langlie in rural Mayville. She was the eldest of three children. She grew up loving the farming way of life as she happily gardened with her mother and assisted her dad with the dairy cows and field work. Her father dubbed her as “the best hired help he ever had”. She attended her grades 1-8 at Blanchard #4 Country School, graduating in 1949. She was chosen to be part of a duet, singing at the Traill County 8th Grade Graduation. She continued high school education at Mayville, graduating in 1953. Darlyne then attended Mayville State Teachers College earning her teaching degree in 1955, and received her Bachelor of Science in Education in 1977. Darlyne married LeRoy Andrew Brenna on July 29, 1956, at Mayville Lutheran Church. Throughout the years, they enjoyed bowling, sporting events, camping, gardening, entertaining friends and making homemade ice cream. Family life was very important to Darlyne. They loved to celebrate holidays with family and friends and especially enjoyed attending their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s many events. The couple celebrated 60 years of a loving marriage last July. Darlyne enjoyed volunteering at Mayville’s Rainbow Gardens, sharing her beautiful flower bouquets in church, playing Tuesday Bingo at the Senior Citizen Center, and attending Elroy Lindaas’ Barn Dances. Darlyne was an avid sports fan of the MPCG Patriots in volleyball, basketball, and baseball. Both pursued their love for teaching, with Darlyne spending her first year at Park River. LeRoy was then drafted by the Army and soon both Darlyne and LeRoy called Germany their home, with Darlyne happily teaching the officers’ preschool children. The pair thoroughly enjoyed their teaching careers surrounded by elementary students in Ada, Arthur, Buffalo, and finally Clifford for Darlyne in 1965. She loved the lower level education, teaching classes of Kindergarten, 1st-2nd grades combined, and third graders for many years. She served as Assistant Principal in 1994-1995 for May-Port CG’s elementary in Galesburg. Darlyne officially retired from her lifelong teaching career on May 17, 1996. LeRoy taught Math and Phy Ed for many years at the Hillsboro Elementary. The Brenna family also farmed, with Darlyne keeping everyone fed with tailgate dinners and late night suppers. Music gave Darlyne much happiness. She loved to sing, play accordion and yodel. She was part of her college Glee Club, various choirs and her church’s many Christmas cantatas. She especially enjoyed the Medora Musical and the music provided by talented musicians at WMSTR in Rollag, MN. She loved to bake or cook and always had a recipe book nearby. Family favorites included her delicious rommegrout, lefsa, flatbread, and Norwegian egg pancakes. She loved to entertain family and friends, especially at Christmas time. She also enjoyed spending time with her favorite golden retriever companion, Bo and her calico cat, Fancy. Darlyne was a member of the Retired Teachers Association, Elm River Church, her circle and quilting group. She served many years on the election board. Darlyne was a lifetime member of the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion, Luther Memorial Home Auxillary and the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She is survived by her husband LeRoy of Clifford, daughter Diane (Wayne) Randle of Maddock and son Lee Brenna of Mayville; five grandchildren: April (Matt) Grandalen, Portland, Bryan (Wanda) Randle, Devils Lake, Chelsey Brenna (Ali Singhateh) Fargo, Kimberly (Nick) Whitehead, Missoula, MT and Josh Brenna, (Courtney Lagoon) Stillwater, MN. Darlyne was loved and adored by 5 great grandchildren: Mylie, Carson and Paityn Grandalen, Mason Singhateh; step grandson: Carson Stensland, and a new baby boy to arrive in March; two brothers: Richard (Ann) Langlie of Champlin, MN and Gordy (Paula) Langlie of Mayville, ND. Darlyne passed away unexpectedly Sunday, February 19, 2017 at her home. She was preceded in death by her parents Gilfred and Othilia Langlie; father and mother-in-law Clarence and Gyda Brenna; sister-in-law and brother-in- law Gloria and Arley Boe; and niece Gayle (Boe) Lider. Visitation: Will be from 5–7 PM on Thursday, February 23 2017 with a 7 PM Public Prayer Service at the Baker Funeral Home Chapel in Mayville, ND and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Service: 11:00 AM Friday, February 24, 2017 at the Elm River Lutheran Church in Galesburg, ND. Burial: Will be in the Mayville Cemetery, Mayville, ND.