Brenda Catherine Gieneart

May 30, 1940 - November 16th, 2025

On November 16th, 2025 Brenda was greeted by Jesus and his loving arms. She was surrounded by her loving family and many prayers from afar. 

Brenda was born near Milroy, MN on May 30th, 1940 on the rural family farm. She grew up with her loving parents (Dorothy and Julius Statteman), her brothers (Tom, Scott and Richard) and her sister (Audrey). Brenda attended St. Annes Catholic grade school for the first 3 years and then attended Milroy grade school and high school.

Brenda was a devoted Catholic and long standing member of St. Raphael Catholic Church. Brenda's unwavering faith was the cornerstone of her existence. She was known for sitting in the front row at church or singing in the choir and she also attended Bible study. She was always eager to say the rosary (many times while walking) praying to Jesus and all the saints, especially Mary. 

Brenda was an avid walker. She started walking in 1979, on a snowy evening in January. That simple moment became a well-established very important way for her to start her day and quite honestly, made her a legend. She was passionate about the ritual of walking daily and tracking her miles on her 'walking calendars' for more than 45 years. She was well known in her New Hope community for walking everyday in her red coat, meeting countless people along the way, forming a small community of friends who looked forward to seeing her on her walking path. She enjoyed beginning the day with exercise and watching the sun rise. Rain, heat, sleet or snow - she never missed a day or you might say she never missed a step! Her daily walk provided a quiet time she cherished for reflection and prayer, connecting with God. The last few years, you would see her loving husband escorting her along the way as they talked about the day ahead and all they had to be thankful for.

When you walked into the kitchen at home, you would see many papers spread out on the kitchen table, they were her crosswords. Brenda had a love for crosswords! She had a huge vocabulary, sharp mind, and curiosity about new words. Crosswords were one of her favorite pastimes. She also never quit, she would keep those crosswords and look back at them until she finished them!

Brenda loved spending time with family, getting together at the house, and visits to the lake. Anytime there was family and food involved she would be there. She always had some smart alec remarks and cute little looks (aimed at Ron) to lighten the mood and have everyone laughing. She cherished those moments with family and loved her husband, daughters, son- in law and grandchildren (and spouses) very much. When you were ending a conversation with her on the phone she always said, "say hi to everyone, give them a hug from me and tell them I love them. I love our little family." You could say she invented the Minnesota Goodbye, at the end of the evening together the goodbyes were never quick, there were always extra hugs, more "I love yous" and gentle reminders of how deeply she cared. Those tender moments were her way of holding everyone close, even as they headed home.

Brenda is survived by her loving and adoring husband of 62 beautiful years of marriage, Ronald Gieneart, whom she cherished. When you saw one, the other was close behind, you could say they became inseparable and would often comment that they could finish each other's sentences. She leaves behind her caring daughters, Gwen Perry and Kim (Darren) Droegemueller. She is also survived by her pride and joy - her grandchildren, Caitlyn (Logan) Sanchez and Dalton Droegemueller, Dylan (Sidney) Droegemueller and Madelyn (Dao) Atomsa. She is survived by her brothers Scott (Connie) Stattelman, Richard Stattelman and sister Audrey (Dick) Benz. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Julius Stattelman and her brother Tom Stattelman.

As her many miles of walking on earth have come to an end, we are sure she is now walking on the streets of gold with our Lord. Brenda was a loving gift and an example to so many with her faith, loyalty, tenacity and compassion. We are sorry to lose her, but release her into God's loving arms now.

The funeral will be held on December 15th, at 10:30 AM at St. Raphael Catholic Church at 7301 Bass Lake Road, Crystal, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Also, there will be an additional visitation on December 14th from 5:00-8:00 PM at Gearty-Delmore Plymouth Chapel 15800 37th Ave N, Plymouth.