Barbara Brenden

Barbara Haney Brenden, age 81, died peacefully at home, surrounded by her children on Wednesday, December 6, 2017. Barb was born to Thomas and Helen Haney on September 11, 1936, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. After graduating from Eau Claire High School, Barb attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. Barbara Haney married Marlyn “Mully” Brenden on September 2, 1955, and lived in Eau Claire where they had three children, Marla, Mike and Betsy. Once the children were all in school, Barb started working part time at The Weathervane. She loved helping people and promoting the Eau Claire community. She continued her career at River Plaza Apartments, participated in Eau Claire downtown development, and retired after serving for many years as the executive director of the Chippewa Valley Symphony. Barb actively served her community in a number of ways; assisting with the Bloodmobile, the Eau Claire Service League, Eau Claire PEO Chapter CH, on the Chippewa Valley Symphony Foundation Board, founding member of the Women’s Giving Circle at the Eau Claire Community Foundation, and on the Businesses for Growth Fundraising Committee for the Confluence Project. Barb also enjoyed serving on many boards, committees, and other ministries at First Congregational United Church of Christ. Barb is survived by daughter Marla (Horace) Garfield and grandchildren, Brenden and Elizabeth Garfield; son Mike (Nancy) Brenden; and daughter Betsy (Scott) Radtke and grandchildren Claire, Emma, and Lily Radtke. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Barb was preceded in death by husband, Mully Brenden; parents, Thomas Haney and Helen Haney Hull; brothers, Thomas and Robert Haney; father-in-law, Odin Brenden; and mother-in-law, Helen Solem Brenden. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, December 11, at the Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn funeral home, 814 1st Avenue, Eau Claire, WI. The family also invites friends on Tuesday, December 12, for a celebration memorial service at 11 a.m., at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 310 Broadway Street in Eau Claire, WI. Barb was an extraordinary woman, who adored cooking and baking for those she loved (especially Christmas cookies), enjoyed needlework of all kinds (particularly knitting), delighted in a newfound talent of painting with watercolors, loved to travel, enjoyed gardening, and appreciated the beauty of the outdoors. Perhaps most of all, she cherished spending time with her family and friends. She lived every day of her 81 years to the fullest and will be lovingly remembered as a kind and genuinely welcoming person to all she encountered. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Saleh Obaid (Eau Claire Medical Clinic); Dr. Keith Bible (Mayo Clinic Rochester); and St. Joseph’s Hospice for the extraordinary and loving care they provided. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Congregational United Church of Christ, 310 Broadway Street, Eau Claire, WI 54703 or to the Chippewa Valley Symphony, 316 Eau Claire Street, Eau Claire, WI 54701.

Service Information

Visitation

Monday, December 11 2017
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home
814 First Ave
Eau Claire WI 54703