Brenda (Johnson) Skurdahl

Brenda Susan Skurdahl, age 74, of Pine Island, died unexpectedly in her sleep, on Tuesday, November 16, 2021.  She was born Oct. 29, 1947, in Red Wing, to Arvid and Vivian (Ross) Johnson and graduated from Red Wing Central High School in 1965.  She went on to attend Mankato State University, where she received her BS in Education.  While student teaching in Olivia, MN, she met Eldon Skurdahl, and they were united in marriage on August 21, 1971.  They lived in Pipestone, MN for 2 years prior to moving to Pine Island, where they made their home.  She taught as a long-term sub in Rochester until they decided to start a family.  They adopted their three children, Ben, Michael and Sally, and Brenda stayed at home with them until they were school-aged.  She eventually returned to part-time work as a teacher’s aide and found her way back into teaching, this time for English as a second language, which became her full-time job.  Brenda always enjoyed helping others, and her job teaching English as secondary language was a perfect way to channel this gift.  After her retirement in 2017, she stayed busy catching up with her friends and was blessed to have several groups of girlfriends that she could meet for coffee or dinner.  She always loved shopping with her daughter and now with her granddaughter, Chloe.  Her and Eldon enjoyed going for walks, taking drives around Lake Pepin and seeing live music.  Throughout her life, her family was always very important to her and she took her roles as a caretaker and daughter, wife, mother and grandmother to heart.

She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Eldon Skurdahl; 3 children, Benjamin, Michael Skurdahl and Sally (Michael) Tripp; 3 grandchildren, Nikolas & Chloe Skurdahl and Macklin Tripp; sister, Judy Johnson; aunt, Joyce Haggstrom and nephews, nieces and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents and aunts & uncles.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday, November 22, 2021 at Bethel Covenant Church, Ellsworth with Rev. Todd Spieker and Rev. Clayton Skurdahl officiating.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service.  Masks are encouraged. Burial will be at the church cemetery.  The service will be live streamed at: https://www.facebook.com/bethelcovenantchurch/

Memorials are preferred to Pine Island Area Home Services, Boys & Girls Club of Rochester, The Landing of Rochester or the Salvation Army.  Arrangements handled by Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com