Charlene Dee Brentana's Obituary
Charlene Dee Brentana, 78, of Holland and formerly of Muskegon passed away early Wednesday morning, August 16, 2023. Daughter of the late L.D. and Alice Smith, Char was born on October 30, 1944 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. When she was six her family moved out to the country in Ada, Michigan where she attended one-room River School through 8th grade, graduating from Lowell High School in 1962. Char was employed as a secretary at Continental Insurance Agency in Grand Rapids before marrying Donald Brentana on December 2, 1966. Soon after, they bought a home and raised their family in Muskegon. From a very young age, Char’s dearest wish was to be a wife and mother, and she loved her family more than anything. She enjoyed reading, knitting and traveling with Don in their motorhome. She was a member of Connection Point Church. Left to cherish her memory are her sons, David (Susan) Brentana of Holland and Daniel (Julie) Brentana of Muskegon, stepdaughters, Jyl Brentana of Madison, WI and Kelli (Robert) Send of Lisbon, WI. Grandchildren Kyle Brentana and Katie Brentana of Spring Lake, Emily Brentana (Evan Falk) of Springfield, Nicholas Brentana and Abigail Brentana of Muskegon, Matthew (Kasey) Crampton of Madison, WI, Eden Taylor of Milwaukee, WI, Kasey (Tim) Miller, Ryan Send, Patrick Send of Lisbon, WI, Chad (Jennifer) Canfield of Zeeland, Heidi (Joel) Cook of Holland, great-grandchildren, Ellis Crampton of Madison, WI, Weston Canfield and Saige Canfield of Zeeland, her sister, Susan (Kevin) Wirth of Midland, Aunt Beryl VanderLeest of Byron Center and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald, her parents, L.D. and Alice Smith and infant sister, Sandra Lee Smith. The family would especially like to thank the staff at Resthaven / Maple Woods Care Center and Holland Hospital for their special care of Char. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be 10:30 AM Saturday, August 26, 2023 at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231) 798-1100 with Pastor Aaron Gregory officiating. VISITATION with the family will be 1 hour prior to the service, from 9:30-10:30 AM. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Connection Point Church or Hospice of Holland. Share memories with the family online at www.sytsemafh.com.
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