Genevieve E. Brenden

Genevieve E. Brenden, age 89, of Watertown, SD passed away on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at the Estelline Care Center.  Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 21, 2022 at St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Watertown.  Rev. Keith Peterson will officiate.  Music will be provided by Ellen Heisner as organist. 

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. and prior to services at the church on Monday.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown.  Honorary pallbearers will be Genevieve’s granddaughters Melissa Plucker, Kara Wills, Jenni White, Marcie Brenden, Lindsey Holmquest, and Caitlin Russel.  Active pallbearers will Genevieve’s grandsons Chad Brenden, Michael Brenden, Ryan Shelsta, Christopher Brenden, Justin Elkins; great-grandsons Bryce Brenden and Cole Brenden.

Genevieve was born on July 2, 1933, in Raymond, SD, to Martin and Minnie (Mehlberg) Lambert.  She attended school in Raymond.

On December 3, 1948, Genevieve married Ellsworth Brenden at St. Martin’s Parsonage in Watertown.  They farmed just southwest of Clark until 1954 when they moved to Watertown.  Genevieve was busy at home raising her children.  She was very successful working in retail as a cashier for many years.

She was a member of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church for many years before becoming a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Watertown.  Genevieve enjoyed cooking and baking and especially enjoyed spending time with family and her many grandchildren.

Genevieve is survived by her children Carol Shelsta of Lee’s Summit, MO, Charles (Susan) Brenden of Sioux Falls, SD, Steven (Sue) Brenden of Rapid City, SD, Janet (Jeff) Elkins of Watertown, SD, and Tim Brenden of Watertown, SD; eleven grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren; and two sister-in-laws Shirley Brenden and Mavis Brenden.

Genevieve is preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter Sherlyn Brenden; son-in-law Randy Shelsta; three brothers: Marvin, Clifford, and Melvin; and four sisters: Mavis, Evelyn, Delane, and LaVonne.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant

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