"Dear Joe, Jude & Dan & Donna, I was so sorry to read of your Mom's passing. I applaud Dan & Dana for moving her near them and caring for her all these years. We always loved the parties at the farm and appreciated all the years that we traded small implements and tools back and forth (cow lifter comes to mind- always at the wrong place when needed!) Most of all I remember when your Dad bought your Mom a gift certificate for oil painting classes at a craft store. She didn't want to go alone and begged me to go with her. She continued with painting awhile after that, but I loved it and have done about 300 paintings. I still run across the original painting we did that first night in my closet and think of her. I miss my old neighbors... Please know that Pam and my thoughts are with you. My sympathy. Nellie Eggler"
In loving memory of
Maxine Helen Brehmer
June 10, 1938 - November 9, 2020
Our mother, Maxine Helen (Prokasky) Brehmer, was called to Heaven on November 9, 2020, after fighting dementia for several years. She might not have had vivid memories of her past, but in the end, she always knew her Lord. We are comforted to know that she has now met Him and is reunited with her husband, Herb "Bigfoot", granddaughter, Sloane; parents, Emil and Clara (Kaul) Prokasky; and many other family, friends, and neighbors in Heaven.
Mom once told us, when we asked what Heaven was like, that it was different for each person and that whatever made a person happy was what would be experienced in Heaven. So we know that Mom is now singing old time country gospel, telling really bad jokes, sewing, and taking care of the most beautiful flower beds Heaven has seen. Who knows, there might even be a pond!
Mom was born in Viola, Illinois, on June 10, 1938. When she was 12 years old, her family moved to Oronoco where her parents farmed. She graduated from Rochester Central High School and attended Rochester Junior College before getting a job as a secretary at IBM.
On October 10, 1959, she married Herbert F. Brehmer and moved to the Brehmer family farm near Elgin. They raised three children, a number of stray dogs, and an excellent herd of registered Holstein cattle. Mom was a full partner in the farming operation but found time to grow a garden, sew or quilt, as well as be active at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Potsdam, where she belonged to the Ladies Aid and served as a Sunday school teacher for many years.
In her 82 years, Mom was many things to many people: daughter, sister to Donna (Dave) Busse, wife to Herbert; mother to Joe (Karen) Brehmer of New Hope, MN; Jude (Mike) Brogan of Pine Island, MN; and Dan (Dana) Brehmer of Chippewa Falls, WI; grandma to Reggie, Erik, Mary Ann, Kayla, Jonathan, Genevieve, and Sloane; great-grandma to Shannon; and friends to more than we can mention.
A Celebration of Life for Maxine will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Ranfranz and Vine Remembrance & Reception Centre, 5482 Royal Pl NW, Rochester, MN 55901.
Memorials are requested to the Sloane J. Brehmer Fund in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Brehmer family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"What a beautiful soul. I am sure she will be missed by many. Margaret Benike"