Arlene J. (Myers) Brenden

Arlene J. (Myers) Brenden, 59, of Cherry Valley, IL, passed away on March 3, 2019, from end stage renal failure with complications due to calciphylaxis.

Arlene was born in Canton, SD, on June 12, 1959; daughter of Raymond and Kathryn (Schladweiler) Myers. She graduated from North Boone High School. She married Vernon Brenden on May 29, 1982 in Springbrook, WI. Arlene retired from Chrysler in Belvidere after 30 years. Arlene showed her love for her family and strangers alike through her love of cooking with the Red Cross Disaster Relief, Veteran’s Drop-in Center, Red Cross Homeless Shelter, pig roasts at church, and as a chef for the Sivertson Family Reunions. She also tutored at the Rockford Literacy Council. She was a devoted mother who raised two wonderful, caring sons and was a loving wife and best friend to her husband, Vernon.

Some of her varied interests and talents included cake decorating, cooking, traveling, camping, boating, reading, sewing, learning, watching game shows and Reggie. She had a huge heart and enjoyed helping others.

Surviving relatives include her parents, Ray and Kathy Myers; husband, Vernon Brenden; sons, Matthew and Michael (Sarah) Brenden; brother, Kevin (Lisa) Myers; brothers-in-law, Alan (Carol) Brenden, Steve (Barb) Brenden, Ken (Shirley) Brenden, Noel (Jennifer) Brenden; sisters-in-law, Cathy (Dennis) Johnson, Carol (Dave) Oas, Nancy (Jody Hoel) Brenden, Sally (Randy) Larson, Linda Brenden, Kathy Brenden and Christine Pennekamp; nieces and nephews, Tenesha, Marcus, Jeff, Cheryl, Jodi, David, Jason, Kevin, Nichole, Renee, Janelle, Laura, Lesley, Ryan, Kyle, Katelyn, Tasha, Brooke, Jessica, Seth, Noah, Luke and Zachary; numerous grandnieces and grandnephews ; uncle and aunts, James (Sharyn) Schladweiler, Margaret Hettinger and Janet Gum. She is predeceased by her a parents-in-law, Irving and Grace Brenden; brother-in-law, Tom Brenden.

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Thursday, March 7, 2019, and Friday, March 8, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61108. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2019, also at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Salvation Army, the Shriners, Wounded Warriors or Veteran’s Drop-in Center.

Arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. Share online condolences and memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com