Betty Jean Bren

BREN, Betty Jean
of Kalamazoo, Michigan Jean Bren passed away on April 12, 2013 in Kalamazoo, MI. She was 85 years old. She was a deeply loved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who wrapped her friends and family in a blanket of ferocious and unconditional love. She was born Betty Jean Frye in Mt. Vernon, Washington on September 22nd, 1927 to her father, Truman Earl Fryea�"who came west from Montana in a covered wagon when he was five years old, and to her mother, Minnette Anna Frye­a�"whose family traced its roots to before the American Revolution. Jean's greatest adventure really began the night in early April of1945 when she walked into a rink to roller skate and walked out with Morien Bren, who became the love of her life and the father of her children. They were married just six weeks later. In the 1960's Morien's job took them all over the United States and their love for each other and their family made that time an amazing journey. They settled in Omaha, NE in 1971 and Jean began a job selling Tupperware. She quickly became a manager, and then very quickly became one of the top managers in the country. She did it the same way she nurtured her family... with care and a lot of love. Jean and Morien both retired in 1991 and moved to Kalamazoo to enjoy a well-earned retirement. Jean was preceded in death by her parents and Morien, whom she shared 64 wonderful years with. Jean is survived by her daughter Sherry Mattingly and her husband Denny of Kalamazoo, daughter Sue Liberty and her husband Girard of North Point, FL, son Gary Bren and his wife Gretchen of Omaha, NE, as well as three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in Kalamazoo on Monday, April 15th, 2013, 11:00 o'clock at the Langeland Westside Chapel on 9th street. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given in her name to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or to Park Village Pines.