Rolf Victor Brende died Sept. 10, 2018, in Greeley, Colo. He was born Feb. 3, 1941, in Austin, Minn., to G.I. Brende ’31 and Beldora (Olson) Brende and grew up in Hutchinson, Minn.

Rolf attended Luther College (graduating in 1963), where he played clarinet in the Concert Band and sang in the Nordic Choir, Norseman Quartet, and Nobleman Quartet. He met his future wife, Julie Gryting ‘63, on their first day of college, and they married in 1963, embarking upon 55 wonderful years of marriage. Their lifelong devotion to each other was an inspiration to their children and grandchildren.

Rolf’s vocational calling was to the ministry, leading him to the Luther Seminary where he received the Master of Divinity in 1967. He returned over 20 years later, earning his Doctor of Ministry. He served as a pastor in churches in Janesville, Iowa; South Milwaukee, Wis.; and Decorah, Iowa. Drawn to ministering to families in the grieving process, he decided to pursue chaplaincy training in Topeka, Kan., at the Menninger Foundation and later served as Director of Pastoral Care at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa, and was Director of Pastoral Care at North Colorado Medical Center. He ministered to many families as their loved ones were in the hospital. He was instrumental in building a night chaplaincy program with area pastors. His book, Gentle Heart Primer, is a valuable guide for laypeople to support the bereaved. He was also a frequent contributor to the Lifeline publication in Waterloo, Iowa, writing inspirational columns. As an additional tool to his bereavement ministry he designed a website, where he wrote regular blogs and shared some of his beautiful photographs of butterflies and flowers from their garden.

Throughout his life, Rolf was a devoted family man, involved closely along with his wife Julie in the lives of his children and grandchildren. He was a model of patience and kindness. He enjoyed hiking and camping trips, and building magnificent treehouses and other projects around the home. He was also an inventor, using his ingenuity to construct a two-story-tall solar heat collector at his family’s Decorah residence. Music was a part of his life until the end. Singing in church choirs and the Greeley Chamber Choir, he was a frequent tenor soloist. He sang the national anthem bi-yearly at the NCMC Turkey Trot for many years, and even when words left him, he could still express himself beautifully by whistling. Together with his wife, Julie, they created beautiful butterfly gardens, and he had a special connection with butterflies, even to the extent of having a pet butterfly which would greet him every day when he returned home from work.

Rolf is survived by his wife, Julie Gryting Brende ‘63 of Greeley; children: Heidi Leathwood and husband Jonathan of Denver, Peter Brende of Falcon, Colo., and Lisa Martin and husband Joseph of Brighton, Colo.; grandchildren: James Carter Young, Emma Young, Anthony Brende, Sadie Brende Nys, Cory Brende, Chloe Martin, and Grace Martin; great grandchildren: Eli Nys and Lilly Nys; brothers: Joel Brende ‘58 and Blaine Brende; aunt, Kathryn Kvinge; a loving extended family; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Rolf’s Life Celebration was Sept. 13, 2018, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1800 21st Avenue in Greeley. Memorial contributions may be made to the “Alzheimer’s Association” or the “North Colorado Medical Center Foundation” with the word “Chaplaincy” on the memo line. Checks can be sent in care of Adamson Life Celebration Home, 2000 47th Avenue Greeley, CO 80634.

We welcome condolences, memories, or photos at www.AdamsonCares.com.