Carol 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, 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 on of North Dakota's first state legislators! Uncle "Hun" Lee Minnesota a member house of representatives. 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 son John Brenna, niece Ellen Amb, nephews Randy and "Buzzy" Dean, cousins Mary Martin, Catherine Pezdriz, and many other cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, step-mother Kota Dean, husband Ray, and her brother William.