Marian Brede

Marian Brede, Garfield?s longest-living resident and honored as Grand Marshall of ?Garfield Days? parade in 2002, died on June 6, one day after her 89th birthday. Marian lived her entire adult life in a small house that she and her late husband, Wally, bought shortly after they were married October 25, 1939. Wally (Waldemar) died in 1973. Marian, who was intensely proud of her German ancestry (in addition to her chocolate chip cookies and chicken-dumpling soup, a family favorite was when Marian said a table prayer in German), was born June 5, 1920 in Ida Township as Marian Emma Elsie Schramm. The family moved to Brandon Township where, as was customary then, Marian attended through the eighth grade. As was also common, Marian first learned to speak English when she attended public school. She and Wally were married at St. John?s Lutheran Church in Garfield, where they both were lifelong members. Marian held several offices and was very active in the Lutheran Women?s Missionary League (LWML). She also belonged to the Garfield Firemen?s Auxiliary, the Garfield Mother?s Club, and the 2005 Garfield Centennial History Committee. She and Wally did custodial duties at the Garfield Elementary School for many years, and she later was a kitchen cook that allowed her to greet schoolchildren each day. Marian especially enjoyed quilting with her many friends at LWML and watching birds out her kitchen window; she was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins. In addition to her husband and parents, Marian was preceded in death by her only brother, Marvin, by her special cousin Rueben Schulke, and by a grandson, John Brede. Marian is survived by a daughter, Faye (and Ron Way) of Minneapolis, and by a son, Shawn (and Nancy) of Ashland, Wisconsin. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Melody (and Dean) Pekarek of St. Louis Park, Melissa (and Bill) Schmidt of Edina, Brady (and Tiffany) Way of Leawood, Kansas, Jessica (and Garry) Fabb of London, England, Ashlie Brede of Duluth, Stephanie Brede of London, and Phillip and McCauley Brede of Ashland; and by seven great grandchildren: Maisie and Shea Pekarek, Kaylyn and Evelyn Schmidt, Clayton and Hadley Way, and Orson Fabb. Memorials are preferred to St. John?s Lutheran Church (LCMS), PO Box 18, Garfield MN 56332. A funeral service was held Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at St. John?s Lutheran Church in Garfield. Rev. Shawn Etheridge officiated. Irma Brockberg provided music. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Casket bearers included Ardell Brede, Robert Brede, Donavon Schramm, Maurice Schulz, Phillip Brede and Brady Way. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home.