Raymond
Bren, 83
Thief River Falls - Raymond S. Bren, 83, died Wednesday, November 11, 1998 at the CNC Unit of Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 14 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls with Reverend Dennis Raymond officiating. Ida Nordvall was the organist, and Danny Olson was the soloist. Casketbearers were his fellow police officer friends, and Golden Kiwanis members were honorary casketbearers. Military honors were provided by the Thief River Falls American Legion and VFW posts. Burial was in Bethlehem Cemetery in New Solum township of Marshall county. The Green Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Raymond Stanley Bren was born on January 5, 1915 in Bigwoods township of Marshall county, the son of John and Olga (Oseth) Bren. He was baptized at Bigwoods Lutheran Church and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Oslo. He attended Oslo-Alvarado schools. Ray served his country from November of 1940 to September of 1945 in the 175th Field Artillery Battalion. He participated in the Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Naples-Foggicco and Rome-Arno Campaigns.
On March 18, 1945 Ray was united in marriage to Clarice Olson at Wooddale Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park. The couple made their home in Warren from September of 1945 until April of 1947 when they moved to Thief River Falls. Ray was employed by the Red Owl Store and Montgomery Ward. In 1953 he joined the Thief River Falls Police force and served until 1973, retiring as Deputy Chief. Following his retirement, Ray served as supervisor of Greenwood Cemetery for several years.
He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Golden Kiwanis, American Legion, VFW and DAV. As a police officer Ray often visited the grade schools where he talked to children about his work. His hobby was woodworking, and he spent much time in his workshop.
Ray is survived by his wife, Clarice; two daughters, Carol (Bart) Dunn of Pequot Lakes and Mary (Dennis) Johnson of Oswego, IL; three sons, James Bren and Donald Bren, both of Iola, WI, and Joel Bren of Thief River Falls; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Doris (Terry) Airhart of Driftwood, TX; one brother-in-law; one sister-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Carl Foss; one sister, Harriet Goplin; two brothers, his twin Robert Bren and Gene Foss; and two grandchildren, Jeffrey and Jennifer Dunn.