Obituary of Melva Brenner

Melva Jean Brenner, 79, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2011 at the Grace Manor Care Center in Burlington. She was born on May 24, 1931 near St. Francis, Kansas, the daughter of James and Viola (Heinrich) Cook. She attended country schools until the eighth grade and then graduated from St. Francis High School in 1947. She married Harvey Brenner of Idalia, Colorado in Denver on September 9, 1948, and they made their home on the farm south and east of Idalia. Four children were born to their union: Sharilyn Kay, Teresa Jean, Vickie Ann, and Dennis Franz. Jean worked at several jobs in the Idalia community: driving a school bus, Unit 8, for District RJ-2 and as a cook at the marina at Bonny Dam. After Harvey’s retirement from the Colorado Division of Wildlife in 1985, Harvey and Jean managed the Super 8 Motel in Burlington for several years and later Jean became the Senior Citizen Coordinator in Burlington. Jean then worked part-time at the Legacy in Burlington. Jean was a member of the St. John United Church of Christ near Idalia, CO and was active in the ladies guild for several years. Jean is survived by her sister, Rita Helen Schuricht of Beaverton, Oregon, and her brother, Keith Wilfred Cook of Goodland, Kansas; her four children: Sharilyn and Gary Mansfield of Wray; Teresa and Clyde Schaal of Burlington; Vickie and Bill Benson of Sterling; and Dennis Brenner of Colorado Springs. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren: Jennifer and Todd Novak of Golden, Jeanne and Ron Jackson of Greeley, and Jill and Ron Scott of Greeley; Brian and Melissa Lewis of Brighton, Craig and Candice Schaal of Burlington, and Braden Schaal and fiancé Jenny Copple of Burlington; Lindsay Benson and Emily Benson of Sterling; and Dawson Brenner of Colorado Springs. She is also survived by her ten great- grandchildren: Cade and Brittany Novak, Jake and Raygan Jackson, and Braxton Scott; Porter, Payton, and Terrin Lewis; and Thomas and Weston Schaal. Also surviving Jean are numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Preceding Jean were her husband Harvey Brenner on July 11, 1996; her parents; her two brothers, Klifton and Kendall Cook.