Obituary

Laurell Rose Brenna, affectionally known as “Mitzi” to her family and friends, entered into eternal peace on October 3, 2021, at the Whatcom Hospice House, Bellingham, Washington.

Mitzi was born on November 29, 1917, in Munich, North Dakota, a daughter of Simon and Maggie Mittelholtz, and sister to 14 siblings. She graduated from Munich High School in 1935, and then attended Minot Teachers College. A desire to see other parts of the country carried Mitzi to Arizona to work at the Camelback Inn where she met her first husband, Omar Brenna. They married and moved to San Francisco, where their son Robert “Bobby” was born. In 1947 they bought their first home where she continued to live for 73 years. Mitzi and Omar divorced, and she later married Bert Quist, a widower with two small toddlers, Pamela and Guy, whom she raised.

During her life, Mitzi worked as a waitress and as a supervisor at the Bank of America. She and Bert owned Amity Market, and Mitzi also ran it for several years after their divorce. Summer of 1957 brought tragedy into Mitzi’s life when her 15-year-old son Bobby died in an automobile accident. Years later, Omar reentered her life and they remarried and were together until his death in 1994. Mitzi enjoyed many hobbies during her retirement including ceramics, painting, knitting, crocheting, and gardening. In 2019, Mitzi moved to Washington State to live with her niece Keri. Many thanks to Whatcom Hospice House which took loving care of Mitzi during her end-of-life journey.

Mitzi was preceded in death by her parents and 13 siblings, her son Bobby, and husband Omar. She leaves countless memories to be cherished by her surviving sister Mildred Galvin of Minot, North Dakota; daughter Pamela Christensen and son Guy Quist; grandsons Jon Monestier, Scot Christensen, Mark (Suzie) Christensen; great-grandson Isak Christensen, all of California; great-granddaughters Allison Craig and Brooke Monestier of Oregon; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Vigil and Rosary will be held on the evening of Thursday, October 14, between 4-8 PM (Rosary at 6 PM) at Duggans Sierra Mortuary, 500 Westlake Avenue, Daly City.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 15, at 11:00 AM at St. Gabriel Roman Catholic Church, 2559 40th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94116, followed by the Rite of Committal at 12:30 PM at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 1500 Mission Road, Colma, CA. A luncheon gathering will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Laurell Brenna’s honor to St. Gabriel Roman Catholic Church; the Whatcom Hospice Foundation, 2901 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham, WA 98225; or any charity of your choice.