Brenda Hurrelbrink

On the morning of April 17, 2016 Brenda Lee Hurrelbrink passed away after a five year battle with Cancer. She passed away peacefully in her home in Strafford, Missouri surrounded by her family.

Brenda was born on September 3, 1939 in DeSoto, Kansas. She was the oldest of six children.
Brenda spent her childhood living in and around Lawrence, Kansas. She graduated from Enterprise Academy in 1957. Brenda married Donald Everett Hurrelbrink on February 20, 1960 in Lawrence, Kansas. She gave birth to their first child on December 18, 1960.

Brenda worked at Hallmark in Lawrence, Kansas where she ran the ribbon making machine for several years. When her 4th child was born in 1969 she decided to leave Hallmark and stay home to care for her children full time.

Brenda and Donald divorced in 1971. She was suddenly a single mother of four with no income and no support. In 1972 Brenda packed up her four children, sold most of her belongings and moved to California to live with her father. While in California, Brenda raised her four children without any support from their father. She went to school to train as a secretary/office clerk and got a job at the Culver City School District. She worked in the attendance office, summer school and as the principal's secretary. Brenda retired in 1998 after 17 years with the school district.

Brenda was excited to hear she was going to be a grandma. Her first grandchild was born in 1991. She would see 6 more grandchildren born with the last one in 1998. Brenda would add another grandchild to her family through marriage in 2009. Her eight grandchildren were her pride and joy. She spoiled them as often as she could.

In 2004, Brenda sold her house in Wildomar, California and bought land in Strafford, Missouri where she had a house built. Her youngest daughter and her three children came to live with her. In 2011 Brenda was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. She was determined to fight this disease and win. She had three surgeries and numerous chemo and radiation treatments during the past five years. Brenda always had a smile and a determined attitude no matter what the doctors and test results would say.

Brenda was a strong woman of faith. She loved going to church on Sunday, listening to worship music and reading her bible. Brenda loved the story of David and his unwavering love for God. Her favorite bible verses can be found in Psalms. Brenda loved to help people especially those who were in need. She volunteered many hours in the church nursery holding and loving on babies and in the food pantry handing out food and counseling with families.

Brenda loved quilting and sewing. She made each of her eight grandchildren a quilt for Christmas one year. Brenda gave away all of the quilts she made to her nieces and nephews and other family members for weddings and new babies. She loved making each and every quilt special for the person who was to receive it. Brenda was an avid gardener and loved having flowers and plants all over her house and back deck. She loved her giant rose bush in her front yard that bloomed each year with beautiful red roses.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ray Lyons; mother, Betty Lee Kramer; step-father, Elmer Kramer; and brother, Ronnie Kramer.

Brenda is survived by her children, Donald Hurrelbrink, Lora Crow (Jack), Douglas Hurrelbrink (Elizabeth), and Cheryl Hurrelbrink; grandchildren, Amber Risco, Chad Hurrelbrink, Jade Hurrelbrink, Shane Hurrelbrink, Austin Hurrelbrink, Dakota Brewer, Michael Hurrelbrink, and Tristan Crown; siblings, Fred Kramer, Richard Kramer (Ann), Linda Sue Stephens (Bill), and Mark Kramer (Dianne); and many other family members and friends.

Memorial services will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday April 23, 2016 in Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E. Walnut Street, Springfield, Missouri.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.