Ione Brendsel

Ione (Grinager) Brendsel, 98, long time resident of Mayville, ND, died March 12, 2007 at Presbyterian Homes on Lake Minnetonka, Spring Park, MN. Ione was born to Inga and Jens Grinager on March 27, 1908, in Mayville, ND, the fourth of five children. The Grinagers owned and ran a mercantile store with groceries and dry goods in Mayville for over 70 years. Ione was preceded in death by brothers, J. Wilmann, Kenneth, and E. Haakon, and sister, Kathryn (Archibald). Ione graduated from Mayville High School in 1925 and completed a 2-year teaching degree at Mayville State Teacher's College. She taught in New England, ND, one year and then attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND, for 2 years to complete her degree in English and music. In 1929, she wrote her parents that she "had been to Mayville High School to interview for a teaching position in English and choral music with the new Superintendent, I.O. Brendsel. I liked him. I hope he likes me, too." Apparently, he did, because they were married June 28, 1933, at the Mayville Congregational Church with a reception at the Grinager home. The band, directed by I.O. Brendsel, played as the newly weds and entourage processed from church to reception. The couple had three children, Tom, Bob, and Bev (Hefte); two grandsons, Scott and Todd Hefte; and many nieces and nephews. I.O (Ingebrigt or "Inky" as he was called) preceded her in death in 1988. Ione was very active in the Congregational Church. She was the choir director there for many years. She was also very active in the Sons of Norway and sang in the Sons of Norway chorus which would dress in their Scandinavian costumes and sing at many local functions. She also was a very accomplished accompanist. She even played the calliope in the 75th Jubilee parade and accompanied the silent movies in New England, ND. She was active in many other organizations in the community. Ione was an avid bridge player and golfer. She belonged to several bridge groups. In her early 90's, she was still driving to the Mayville Country Club to play bridge. She had many wonderful friends of all ages in Mayville. She also loved to travel and really knew how to enjoy life. She enjoyed the Grinager cottage on Lake Melissa near Detroit Lakes, MN, for 90 summers. Ione and "Inky" went parasailing in Puerto Vallarta when they were in their 70's. For their 50th anniversary, they went up in a hot air balloon. When Ione was in her 80's, after her husband's death, she went white water rafting with her son Bob while on a cruise to Alaska. When their bus broke down during a trip to Egypt, Ione (in her 80's) and Bob had to hike through the Sinai Desert. They also rode camels at the pyramids at Giza. Ione and Inky had a mobile home in Mesa, AZ, where they would spend their winters and Ione continued to go there until she was 90. When Ione was 94, she fell and hit her head resulting in a hematoma. Her children moved her to Spring Park, MN, near her daughter, Bev, and son, Bob. She was able to enjoy her last years with her children and grandchildren, but really missed her good friends in Mayville. She is survived by her 3 children, Tom Brendsel (Nancy) of Coral Springs, FL; Bob Brendsel of Minneapolis, MN; and Bev (Art) Hefte of Mound, MN; 2 grandsons, Scott Hefte of LeSueur, MN, and Todd Hefte of Mound, MN; many loving nieces and nephews; and many wonderful friends.