Mary Louise Brenke

Mary Louise (Kahlow) Brenke, age 90, of Albert Lea passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 11AM on Friday, March 21 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea with Pastor Eileen Woyen officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-6PM on Thursday, March 20 at Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home and for an hour prior to the service at the church. Mary Lou will be placed to rest next to her loving husband at Oakwood Cemetery in Belle Plaine, MN.

Mary Louise Brenke was born in Henderson, MN on December 4, 1934, the daughter of Ben and Agnes (Connelly) Kahlow on their homestead. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Evangelical Church in Henderson and later united in marriage there on September 6, 1952 to John (Jack) Brenke. They moved to Carver, MN for a short time and later established their life together in Albert Lea, MN where they raised their seven children. Mary was a homemaker and was employed at Matson Truck Lines driving school bus for many years, including 16 rewarding years of driving for the special needs children that she was very fond of.

She enjoyed time at their family cabin in northern Minnesota where so many family memories were created. After the death of her husband in 1992, she developed special friendships with Fran Blakestad and Erlys Trolen and together they enjoyed playing cards and scrabble.

Mary Lou is survived by her children: Roxanne Brua of Albert Lea, Deb (Gary) Chodur of Lake Mills Iowa, Steven (Rose) Brenke of Walters MN, Darla (Graden) Nelson of Glenville MN, Darrell Brenke of Albert Lea, and Connie (Alex) Gonzalez of Mattoon Illinois.

Grandchildren: Danielle (Damian) Bure, Justin (Sarah) Bolinger, Cody (Katie) Bolinger, Travis Brua, Nathan Chodur, Sara (Dustin) Grossnickle, Chawn Villerreal, Amber (Aaron) Brenke, David Villereal, Anthony Villereal, Colt Ethan Nelson, Daryl Brenke, Blake Talamantes, Adison Talamantes, and several great grandchildren.

She is also survived by her sister Judy Wendorff and brother James (Pat) Kahlow.

She was preceded in death by her husband John (Jack) Brenke, Daughter Eunice Bolinger, Parents Ben and Agnes Kahlow, Son-in-law Steven Brua, Grandson Michael Mitchell Brua, Brothers David Kahlow and Richard Kahlow, Sister Diane Fraundienst, Sisters-in-law Lavonne Berger and Gloria Kahlow, and Brother-in-law Darrell Fraundienst.

Memorials are preferred to Steve Brenke.