Brenda Lorenz Smith age 50, of Madison, WI; passed away at her home Friday May 27, 2011. A gathering of friends and family will be 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wed. June 1 with the family present 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care 414 Lincoln Way Ames with a 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 2, Celebration of Life service at First United Methodist Church 6th and Kellogg in Ames, Iowa.
Brenda was born in Ames, Iowa and graduated from Ames High School. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Grandview College in Des Moines and earned her MBA at Edgewood College in Madison. She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau and was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.
She worked as an ICU nurse at the University of Iowa and was manager of the Emergency Department at Mercy Hospital in Janesville. Her greatest passion was realized when she worked as a Heart and Lung Transplant Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin where she was a fierce advocate for her patients.
Though her health prevented her from continuing an active nursing career she was still the first person family or friends called upon when they needed guidance or help with a health problem. Her compassion and drive had a positive and profound effect on a great many lives.
Accompanied by her husband, Brenda loved vacationing in Hawaii, attending shows at the Overture Center, and going to Badger Hockey games. She enjoyed crafting with her friends, gardening, and the family cats.
Brenda's time here was much too brief and her passing will be felt deeply by those who knew and loved her.
Brenda is survived by her husband Randy Smith of Madison, WI; her mother, Phyllis Crouse of Ames; extended family, Rod and Lois Crouse of Ames; Curtis and Kris Crouse of St. Paul, MN; Terry and Ken Graner of Apple Valley, MN; Father and Mother in-law Belmont and Mary Smith of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Uncle, Gary and Mary Ellen Lorenz and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father Duane Lorenz, Verl Crouse, grandparents, Jennie and Paul Lorenz and Ruth and Virgil Fordyce.
Memorials may be directed to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 20875 Crossroads Cir # 350 Waukesha, WI 53186-4026
Online condolences may be sent to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Randy, I am so sorry for your loss. I truly miss Brenda for our long phone conversations about crafts and dancing with the stars, but most of all because she was always there when I needed to talk to someone.
She was a true friend.
I worked with Brenda at UW Hospital and she was one of the most brilliant nurses I knew. I missed her when she left my area as she was always a great support and help to all the staff. She thought the world of her Mom! I was so happy for her to have found a great husband. She will be so missed.
Randy, I am thinking of you. I am so sorry for your loss. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you through this tragic time.
Love and Prayers
Phyl,
We cn only imagine the depth of youe loss. Our hearts are broken, too.
This has been a comfort to several people we know who have lost children: "The mention of my child's name brings tears to my eyes and pain to my heart. It heals my spirit and sings to my soul." Love ahd prayers and hugs especially to you,
Allan and Marcia
I am sorry for you loss Randy. God Bless you and your family in this time of need.
Though I'd lost contact w/ Brenda for the past 15 years or so, I'll never forget the fun we had. From Christmas cookie baking (Brenda's microwave caramels were amazing) to vacationing in St. Pete's beach in the big pink hotel, I loved her sense of humor and lively spirit. I'm sorry we lost touch. Rest in peace, friend.
O my God! O Thou forgiver of sins, bestower of gifts, dispeller of afflictions!
Verily, I beseech thee to forgive the sins of such as have abandoned the physical garment and have ascended to the spiritual world.
O my Lord! Purify them from trespasses, dispel their sorrows, and change their darkness into light. Cause them to enter the garden of happiness, cleanse them with the most pure water, and grant them to behold Thy splendors on the loftiest mount.
Nobody was a better friend than you. I will always remember the good times we had.
My wonderful friend. Thank you for all the wonderful memories. Love you forever. Kris
Brenda will forever be part of our most beautiful, most precious memories.
Love and hugs,
Marcia and Allan and our family
Visitation
Ames, IA 50010
Service
Ames, Iowa 50010
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