Loyal Brenden

1911-2008

            Loyal Brenden, 96 of Billings, passed away on June 5, 2008 at St. John’s Cottage where he had lived for 6 weeks.  He was born in Flom, MN on June 16, 1911 to August and Lina Brenden.  In 1917 the family moved to Montana and settled in the Flaxville and Orville Community.  He spent most of his life on the family farm.  He graduated from Flaxville High School in 1929, and attended college at Concordia and in California where he worked several winters and then returned to help his folks at the farm.

            He married Alice Mohn on September 18, 1940.  They raised their three children on the farm.  His main hobby was baseball.  He was an active part of the Flaxville team for years and remained a big fan his whole life.  He took his family to Arizona several winters and enjoyed the baseball spring training there.

            Loyal had a passion for music.  He was a talented musician, loved Swing Music, and played the piano, organ, banjo, and saxophone.  He played in local bands and even was playing with a small group of oldies in Billings until 6 months ago when his health began to decline.  He operated a music business from his home for over 30 years in North Eastern Montana, tuning pianos, and selling pianos, organs, and other musical instruments. 

            In 1977, Loyal and Alice purchased a home in Billings to spent their winter months, returning to the farm every spring. 

            He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Alice Brenden of Billings and Rural Flaxville; three children, Gary (Connie) of Menifee, CA, Lois Gorseth of Billings, and Carol (Bill) Nadlonek of Rochester Hills, MI; and by seven grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; many loving nieces and nephews; and many friends.

            He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Thomas and Casper Brenden, Inanda Hoff, and Alice Schaefer.

            Cremation has taken place.  A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, June 11, at Zion Lutheran Church, in Flaxville, MT.  Private burial of cremated remains will be in the Orville Cemetery.

            In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church or the charity of one’s choice.