Connie Brenes

Passed away Tuesday morning, August 3, 2021, at her home. Connie was born December 23, 1955, in Saginaw, MI the daughter of Richard and Elaine (Ruppel) Reimer. She grew up in Saginaw and graduated from Dwight D. Eisenhower High School. She later received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a teaching degree in reading from Central Michigan University and earned a Master of Arts in Counseling Education from Western Michigan University. On January 30, 1982, Connie was united in marriage to her loving husband, Manuel who survives. Also surviving are her children, Michael (Emily) Brenes, Melissa (Aaron) Patton, Melanie Brenes, Michelle Brenes (Jace); 2 grandchildren, Kristina, and Mikayla Brenes; sisters, Carol Griffin, Judy (Dale) Cline, Kathy Brzeczkiewicz; and several nieces and nephews. Connie was a passionate and devoted teacher who began her 40-year teaching career at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota in 1980. The following year she taught at the Crow Creek Indian Reservation where she met Manuel and the couple married shortly thereafter. They moved to New Orleans and worked at a Catholic School for three years before returning to her hometown of Saginaw in 1985. In 1990 the family would move to Kalamazoo, MI where Connie worked for Parchment Public Schools and later at Kalamazoo Public Schools teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) until she retired in 2020. Connie was a wonderful wife and a loving mother who enjoyed traveling, reading, playing with her grandchildren, and jigsaw puzzles. Friends may meet the family from 5-7 pm Thursday, August 5 at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, 3926 South 9th Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. The Rosary will be recited at 6:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Friday, August 6 at St. Thomas More Catholic Parish, 421 Monroe, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 where the family will greet friends from 9:30-10:30 prior to Mass. Interment will be in Mt. Ever-Rest North Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. Thomas More Catholic Parish. To view Connie's personalized webpage please visit https://www.langelands.com