Daryl John Brenden, 58, lifelong resident of Eau Claire passed away at his home on Saturday, April 30, 2005, surrounded by his family and enveloped in the love, peace, and prayers of the hundreds of people who walked with him through his journey and fierce fight with kidney cancer.\r\nDaryl was born March 11, 1947, the son of Odin and Helen (Solem) Brenden. He was a 1965 graduate of Memorial High School and 1970 graduate of the UW-Madison's Civil Engineering Department. Daryl went on to become one of the state's most accomplished engineers. He was employed with Edward Kraemer and Sons Inc., out of Plain, WI as Regional Manager for the state. The position took him to all corners of Wisconsin, where he oversaw the planning, development and construction of hundreds of bridges and dams. Daryl's work was marked by his keen attention to detail, eye for the beauty of nature, and uncompromising work ethic. For this, Daryl was recognized by numerous awards, most recently a designer award by the Canadian Pacific Railroad, presented in Washington D.C.\r\nDaryl married Pamela Myhers in 1968, a union that bore one daughter, Melissa and one son, Ben. He later wed Elizabeth Killoren in 1995 at Springbrook Lutheran Church.\r\nDaryl was a life-long member of Grace Lutheran Church where he served faithfully on numerous boards and committees. He served as President of the Grace Lutheran Foundation, lending his expertise to many projects, including the establishment of Willowbrook Assisted Living. He was past-president of the Sunrise Exchange Club, member of Alumni of University of Wisconsin, and the American Society of Engineers.\r\nDaryl had a strong connection to nature and the outdoors. He shared his love of hunting, fishing, restoring the Chriscraft and spending time at the cabin with Elizabeth, his children, grandchildren, and Springer "Maddie."\r\nSurvivors include his wife, Elizabeth; two children, Melissa (Chad) Olson of Eau Claire, Ben (Cassie) Brenden of White Bear Lake, MN; two stepsons, Lee (Teresa) Killoren of Sand Creek and Keith Killoren of Dallas, TX; six grandchildren, Blake, Brenden, and Carter Olson, Hannah and Hailey Brenden, and Brody Killoren; brother, Marlyn (Barbara) Brenden of Eau Claire; two sisters, Joyce (Ken) Snede of Lake Havasu City, AZ and Judy (Daryl) Kuyper of Northfield, MN; and nieces and nephews.\r\nDaryl was preceded in death by his parents.\r\nDaryl Brenden lived a life full of love and laughter. Strong, balanced, and beautiful, the metaphor between the work he did building bridges and the bridges he built with all the people he knew, is not lost on us. Perhaps his best bridgework is seen in his faith in God, a relationship that endured all the seasons of his life.\r\nFuneral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 4, 2005, at Grace Lutheran Church with Rev. David J. Irgens officiating. Burial will be in Spring Brook Cemetery, Spring Brook Township, Dunn County. Family and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Wednesday at church.\r\nIn lieu of flowers, Daryl's family requests memorials be directed to Grace Lutheran Foundation, 822 Porter Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701 or Luther Park Bible Camp, PO Box 153, Chetek, WI 54728.\r\n

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