Brenda grew up in Forest Lake was in the high school marching band, and graduated in 1977. During and after high school she taught dance and baton twirling with the local community education program. In 1981 she continued community participation in the city marching band for many years. Saint Bridget's Parish, in Lindstrom, is her place of worship. Brenda lived in North Branch and Harris, coaching and mentoring the North Branch girls cheerleading squad. She is an avid supporter of the North Branch traveling soccer program, as her sons have participated. Brenda is a current resident of Chisago City, caring for her father and seriously ill sister. She is a single mother of four wonderful young men two of which are still home with her.
In January of this year Brenda was diagnosed with Stage IIIB Lung Cancer. While cigarette smoke is first on the list of causes, Brenda has never been a smoker! She has since undergone extensive surgery, is currently receiving chemotherapy treatments, and will follow with seven weeks of radiation. Unable to work and trying to find her way through the disability system, her medical bills are piling up and daily cost of living expenses are taking a back seat to medical needs.
Brenda's fondness for butterflies shows all around her, and in her perspective of this new challenge. She views it as a metamorphosis, like that of the caterpillar's journey to its final, beautiful butterfly state. As she confronts this challenge head on, her faith and supporters will be there giving her the strength to manage this change in life’s course.
