James Brenan

James Vernon “Jim” Brenan was born October 22, 1927, to parents Norman and Opal Brenan in Burbank, California. The family moved to Pipestone, Minnesota, where Jim graduated from Pipestone High School in 1945. He entered the Unites States Navy and served in the Submarine Service. He met and married his wife Francine C. Jette in 1946. Francine joined Jim’s mother and extended family in Minnesota while Jim completed his military service. Upon his Honorable Discharge and return home, Jim and Fran lived in various locations throughout Minnesota before finally settling in Moorhead during their children’s formative years. Jim worked his way up from the warehouse to the owner of Adams, Inc. in Fargo until he retired. Jim held a lifelong passion for hunting and fishing and though his interest in golf came later in life, he greatly enjoyed playing 18 holes several times a week. Throughout his retirement, Jim worked long and hard maintaining his landscaping. When he wasn’t battling against the Rising Red River of the North each spring or overseeing the construction of the family’s Fargo home, he was creating cork trivets which were coveted by people throughout the country and worldwide. These were often prized as gifts in fundraising events and even in honoraria for visiting dignitaries and notable vineyard and winery owners. Jim was particularly proud of creating the North Dakota Submarine Memorial, which he brought from concept to completion and can be seen in Fargo’s Lindenwood Park. Jim is survived by his wife of 64 years, Francine, his older daughter Janet and her husband Michael Sherry of Oklahoma; their son Robert and his wife Jodie of Alaska; his son William “Bill” Brenan and his wife Susan of Fargo; and his younger daughter Kit and her husband Bruce Moe of Hillsboro, ND. Sailor, rest your oars. Eternal patrol. Sailor, rest your oars. Rest your oars, shipmates. Family and friends may gather Monday, August 2, 2010, from 1-3pm at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home in Fargo.