Loretta Brenner, age 82 of White Bear Lake, MN, formerly of Maiden Rock, WI, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2023 at Cerenity Assisted Living Residence in White Bear Lake.

Loretta was born on May 31, 1940 in River Falls Township, WI to Joseph and Emilie (Andrle) Kvapil.  She was raised in the Cherma Czechoslovakian farming community and attended the Donegal one-room schoolhouse across the road from her family farm through Grade 8.  She was a graduate of River Falls High School, Class of 1958.

Loretta married Edward Brenner on October 10, 1959 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church (Cherma) and embarked on a life as a farm wife and mother.  She was at her happiest nurturing her children in the early years, and in the later years she found joy when the family would all gather together at the farm for visits and holidays.  She took great pride in her grandchildren.

Loretta was blessed with a bright mind, strong intuition, and plenty of common sense.  She was always interested in world news and political issues.  She was a voracious reader and her favorite place to spend time was at the Ellsworth Public Library.  Books were her way to travel the world and engross herself in stories of mystery and intrigue.  She was also accomplished in counted cross stitch and completed many needlework projects.

Her family holds fond memories of her home-baked goods waiting each day after returning from school.  She kept an immaculate and well-organized household.  Every summer she tended a large garden and canned vegetables.  Loretta had a strong Catholic faith and prayed ceaselessly for family and world issues.

Loretta is survived by her children; Rebecca “Becky” Brenner (Steve Van Allen), Jeffrey Brenner, Brenda (Nick) Schiefelbein, and Steven Brenner (Kristin), six grandchildren:  Jesse, Rachel, Christina, Noah, Justin, and Sarah, and numerous nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by one brother, Gary Kvapil of River Falls, and sisters-in-law Mary Ann Brenner of Bay City, WI, and Shirley Bishop of Prescott.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Edward, brothers Leo Kvapil and baby Roy Kvapil, sisters Bernice Hildebrandt, Dorothy Ritschel, and Helen Kvapil.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11AM Saturday, April 1st, 2023 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ellsworth. Mass will be live streamed, click here to watch. Burial will be in the Clayfield Cemetery. Active casketbearers will be Noah Brenner, Justin Brenner, Jesse Van Allen, Steve Van Allen, Nick Schiefelbein, Dennis Hildebrandt, Ronnie Hildebrandt. Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass at St. Francis Saturday morning. Memorials are preferred to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church or School. Funeral services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Ellsworth.