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Submitted: 8/8/11 • Approved: 8/8/11 • Last Updated: 8/13/15 • R126234-G0-S3
Sep 16, 1994 - Feb 27, 2011
Ben Brende, 16, died Monday, February 28, 2011 surrounded by his parents and sisters at the Sanford Children's Hospital, Sioux Falls, South Dakota from complications of Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, specifically pneumonia and influenza. Benjamin Douglas Brende was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on September 16, 1994, the son of Doug and Jackie (Hurley) Brende. He attended preschool in Lennox, elementary school in Worthing, middle school in Lennox and was currently a sophomore at Lennox High School. Ben was a member of St. Magdalen's Catholic Church, Lennox. He loved attending MDA Camp and participating in Special Olympics. He was a huge sports fan of the L.A. Lakers and Minnesota Vikings. He enjoyed watching his sisters play sports and had strong feelings about bad calls made by the refs. Playstation was where he became part of the game. He took wins or loses in football or basketball with friends very seriously. Ben was not the type of person to cry or show self pity over the things he could not do, but rejoiced in all the things he could do. Ben was the master of high speed wheelchair operation. He enjoyed monster trucks, the Dukes of Hazzard and America's Funniest Home Videos. He loved and was truly loved by his family. Ben was preceded in death two grandfathers, Leon Brende and Jack Hurley and special uncle, Sev Brende. Grateful for having shared his life are his devoted and loving parents, Doug and Jackie Brende, Worthing and "the best sisters ever" Elizabeth and Becca Brende, both of Worthing; grandmothers: Carol Brende and Marge Hurley both of Sioux Falls; aunts/uncles: Daryl (Jayne) Brende, Lincoln, NE, Kris Brende, Sioux Falls, Doug (Judy) Holden, Sioux Falls, Judy Hoganson, Moorhead, MN, Sherry (Al) Lance, Culpepper, VA, Greg (MaryAnn) Holden, Sioux City, IA and Tracey (Bob) Domangue, Sioux Falls; Godparents: Colleen & Scott Elcocl, Sioux Falls and Dorinda & Dan Magnus, Lincoln, NE as well as a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.
Contributed on 8/8/11 by revilo
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Record #: 126234