A Celebration of Life for Brenda Offutt, 73, rural Lawrence, will be at 2:00 pm Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Lawrence First Church of the Nazarene, 1470 N. 1000 Rd. Lawrence, Kansas 66046.
Brenda died peacefully and suddenly Sunday, January 2, 2022, at the University of Kansas hospital, surrounded by her children and other family members following a short battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and heart failure due to pulmonary emboli.
She was born February 12, 1948, in Sioux Falls, SD, the daughter of Robert J. Fortner and Ethel L. (Robley) Fortner of rural Mount Vernon, SD. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School (1966), earned her Bachelor of Science from Bethany Nazarene College (1971) along with her certification in medical technology. She worked to put her husband Dane through his Master’s program and worked until the day before their first child was born, after which she was a full-time mom and homemaker.
She married Dane on December 30, 1971, in Mitchell, South Dakota. She is survived by her children Aaron & Stephanie (Lincoln, NE), Cara & John Kruid (Easton, KS), and Evan & Todd Boesiger (to be married April 2022, Sidney, NE), and her grandchildren: Bryce, Allison, Loralai, Aubree, John Marcus, and Mayleigh + many “bonus” kids and grandkids including Rob & Shelly Needham (Sam, Isaac, Lydia, and Rachel).
In the course of their 48 years of marriage, Dane & Brenda spent time living all over Oklahoma, as well as in San Antonio, TX; Amarillo, TX; Lincoln, NE; Cabot, AR; and Lawrence, KS. Brenda was a beloved wife, mother, grandma (“gramma” and “G-ma”), daughter, and sister. Her love for Christ, creativity, and kindness leave a wonderful legacy for all who knew her. Sweet “Momma Offutt” opened her home for people and pups alike—whether family, friends or strangers—to be welcomed, well-loved and well fed.
Financial gifts in Brenda’s memory may be directed to:
Quilts of Valor® Foundation | P.O. Box 191 | Winterset, IA 50273 |
Birthright of Topeka Inc. (Crisis Pregnancy) P.O. Box 414, Topeka, KS 66601-0414
Or send checks in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Thank you for sharing the memorial service. What a legacy of love and presence to others your mom/grandma gave you and her communities. You all did a good job honoring her and your dad through the service. Your lives will continue to do so!
Our love and prayers. May God’s love and comfort strengthen you all in the days ahead.
The one time I met your mother at Sapulpa Church and talked to her, I felt like I had known her all my life. So friendly and loving. May God give you all strength for the coming days. She and your dad are so happy.