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Tom J. Brenden Jul 07 1954 - Jun 09 2010
Funeral services for Tommy J. “Tom” Brenden, age 55, of Henry, SD, will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 13, 2010, at Henry School in Henry. Rev. Gary Anderson will officiate. Music will be provided by Barb Hartley as organist and Jenna Hulscher as soloist. Tom passed away on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at his residence. Burial will be at Lorinda Cemetery in Henry. Honorary pallbearers will be the Henry Fire Dept. Active pallbearers will be: Rick Walford, Gordy VanSickle, Randy Angermeier, Chuck Engels, Rod Cotten, Al Benck, and Francis Strohfus. Visitation will be at the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown, SD, on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Sunday prior to services at the school. The family is requested to meet at the school on Sunday by 1:30 p.m. for a prayer service. Tom was born on July 7, 1954, in Sioux Falls, SD, to ODean and Mavis (Cluts) Brenden. He attended grade school in Egan, SD. While growing up in Egan, Tom and his brother rode horses and won several ribbons in local rodeos. He also pitched for the Egan baseball team. Tom moved to Henry in 1969 and graduated from Henry High School in 1972. On February 24, 1973, Tom married Myrna Biberdorf in Henry, SD. He worked with his dad at the grain elevator in Henry until 1986 and also farmed with his brother. Tom served the town of Henry as fire chief for 30 years, worked for Country General in Watertown, drove limo, and also drove truck for Dakota Style Chips until he retired due to health reasons. His greatest love was playing with his grandchildren and attending their activities. Tom enjoyed golfing, bowling, and softball. He also enjoyed visiting with all of the people he met in his travels and his friends in the community. Tom is survived by his wife, Myrna, of Henry, SD; three children: Chelsey (John) Wiik of Big Stone City, SD, Leslie Brenden (Tim Grygiel) of Florence, SD, Jared (Julie) Brenden of Henry, SD; six grandchildren; his mother, Mavis, of Watertown, SD; one brother, Danny (Kathy) Brenden, of Newton Hills, SD; and two sisters: Jodean (Lee) Tice of Moorpark, CA, and Dawn (Al) Koch of Watertown, SD. He was preceded in death by his father, ODean.

Tom J. Brenden
Jul 07 1954 - Jun 09 2010

Funeral services for Tommy J. “Tom” Brenden, age 55, of Henry, SD, will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 13, 2010, at Henry School in Henry. Rev. Gary Anderson will officiate. Music will be provided by Barb Hartley as organist and Jenna Hulscher as soloist. Tom passed away on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at his residence.

Burial will be at Lorinda Cemetery in Henry. Honorary pallbearers will be the Henry Fire Dept. Active pallbearers will be: Rick Walford, Gordy VanSickle, Randy Angermeier, Chuck Engels, Rod Cotten, Al Benck, and Francis Strohfus.

Visitation will be at the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown, SD, on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Sunday prior to services at the school. The family is requested to meet at the school on Sunday by 1:30 p.m. for a prayer service.

Tom was born on July 7, 1954, in Sioux Falls, SD, to ODean and Mavis (Cluts) Brenden. He attended grade school in Egan, SD. While growing up in Egan, Tom and his brother rode horses and won several ribbons in local rodeos. He also pitched for the Egan baseball team. Tom moved to Henry in 1969 and graduated from Henry High School in 1972.

On February 24, 1973, Tom married Myrna Biberdorf in Henry, SD. He worked with his dad at the grain elevator in Henry until 1986 and also farmed with his brother. Tom served the town of Henry as fire chief for 30 years, worked for Country General in Watertown, drove limo, and also drove truck for Dakota Style Chips until he retired due to health reasons.

His greatest love was playing with his grandchildren and attending their activities. Tom enjoyed golfing, bowling, and softball. He also enjoyed visiting with all of the people he met in his travels and his friends in the community.

Tom is survived by his wife, Myrna, of Henry, SD; three children: Chelsey (John) Wiik of Big Stone City, SD, Leslie Brenden (Tim Grygiel) of Florence, SD, Jared (Julie) Brenden of Henry, SD; six grandchildren; his mother, Mavis, of Watertown, SD; one brother, Danny (Kathy) Brenden, of Newton Hills, SD; and two sisters: Jodean (Lee) Tice of Moorpark, CA, and Dawn (Al) Koch of Watertown, SD.

He was preceded in death by his father, ODean.

Guest book

Comment posted by: Laird and Kathy Larson
Fri 11th Jun 2010 10:10 am

Myrna and family,
In these tough days think of all the good times spent with Tom and be thankfull for the opportunity to have shared them together. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Comment posted by: Kathy Graf
Thu 10th Jun 2010 07:53 pm

Leslie & family,
I wish I could take the hurt away. Focus on the good times and cherish those memories. Hugs and prayers to you all.

Comment posted by: Joan Arlen John and Stephanie
Thu 10th Jun 2010 06:46 pm

Myrna and family : You have our sincere sympathy on the loss of Tom. What a great man he was !! He was kind to all he met, and was one of the few people who called me by my childhood nickname...Joanie. May all the memories you have of him help you at this difficult time. Connor's words are so true !!

Comment posted by: Kevin Dandurand
Thu 10th Jun 2010 04:59 pm

Tom was a very, very nice man. He worked for us at Dakota Style. It was always fun to talk with Tom. He was always up beat and just a wonderful person to be around. He is missed and will continue to be missed by everyone that new Tom, at Dakota Style. God Bless Tom and God Bless Tom's Family.

Comment posted by: Goodall Family
Thu 10th Jun 2010 01:12 pm

Tom was a wonderful man & will be missed by all. The Brenden family will be in our thoughts & prayers.

Comment posted by: Tanya Nelson
Thu 10th Jun 2010 12:50 pm

Myrna and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I am glad that I got to meet Tom and assist you. My thoughts and prayers will be with your family as you deal with this loss. Myrna you are such a sweet lady, I enjoyed coming to assist you. I wish that I would have meet you guys under different circumstances but feel blessed to have met you two at all.

Comment posted by: Ann Albright Newt Tate Tucker and Maddie
Thu 10th Jun 2010 10:22 am

Leslie and Families
Sorry to hear of your loss. I know it's hard to understand why people are taken from us, but find comfort in knowing you were a special part of a well lived life.

Comment posted by: Michelle Himmerich
Thu 10th Jun 2010 05:02 am

Leslie & Family - Know we are thinking and praying for you at this time. It is the great memories you have that live forever. Focus on those wonderful times. May you find strength to get through these days with your faith, family and friends.

Comment posted by: curly
Wed 09th Jun 2010 08:03 pm

work at dakota style when he drove the dakota style delivery truck great guy THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS will be missed by all that ever new him. use to call him easy money he would call me easier money.he could always make a bad day better.cleanest truck in the country.GOD BLESS TOM AND HIS FAMILY. CURLY.

Comment posted by: LeeAnn and Gus Benthin
Wed 09th Jun 2010 12:37 pm

Myrna and family, we are so sorry to hear of your loss.You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Tom was a great guy and he will be missed by a lot of people.

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