Russell Morris Brenna

Russell Morris Brenna, 79 of Cloquet, formerly of Moose Lake died Sunday, November 7, 2004 in Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet. He was born January 7, 1925 in Middle River, Minn. to Calmer and Sigrid (Huset) Brenna. Russell married Jeanne Lee on September 30, 1950 in Middle River. They made their home in Cloquet where Russ worked as a mechanic at Potlatch from 1953 until retiring in 1986. During the 1960's he also worked at Roy Wilson's gas station. After his retirement from Potlatch, he moved to Moose Lake. He worked at the Surplus Store and also enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels. He was a member of the Potlatch Quarter Century Club and Hope Lutheran Church in Moose Lake where he was active on the stewardship committee and was also an usher. In April of this year, Russ moved back to Cloquet. In 1996 Russ was awarded the Certificate of Commendation from Governor Arne Carlson in recognition and honor for being an Outstanding Senior Citizen in Carlton County. Russell's greatest love was his wife and his family. He devoted everything to them. Everything he said and did was done with his family in mind. He will be sadly missed but he's finally at rest and in no more pain. Russ was proud of his background and work ethic. He loved fishing, telling stories, playing his accordion, and he knew how to fix and remodel everything. Russ was preceded in death by four sisters and three brothers. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jeanne; his five children, Rhonda (Flip) Mastey and Russell Brenna both of Sartell, Chuck Brenna of Casa Grande, Arizona, Carrie Harildstad of Walhalla, North Dakota, and Kristi (Ted) Stockland of Cloquet; sisters, Iva (Laverne) Lindahl of Thief River Falls and Sonia (Wayne) Wegge of International Falls; brothers, Calmer Brenna Jr. of Lillington, North Carolina and Warren Brenna of Thief River Falls; eleven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, four step great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held on Friday, November 12, 2004 in Northland Funeral Home in Cloquet. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Cloquet Community Memorial Hospital Building Fund. The family wishes to thank his doctor of many years, Dr. Vicki Anderson, and the entire staff at the Cloquet Community Memorial Hospital for the wonderful care given to Russ and support to his family.