Thomas D. Brennan

Thomas Brennan, age 70, of Lakeville, retired minister of the United Methodist Church, died on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at his home. Funeral services will be held 2:00pm Saturday, November 21st at the Northfield United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 4-8:00 pm Friday, November 20th at the Bierman Funeral Home in Northfield. Burial at the Oak Hill Cemetery in South St. Paul.

Thomas D. Brennan was born August 6, 1939 in St. Paul, son of Gene and Ruth (Anderson) Brennan. Tom grew up in South St. Paul with his brothers John (Jack) and Robert (Bob). He graduated from South St. Paul High School, attended two years at Hamline University and graduated from the University of Minnesota. On April 15, 1961 he was united in marriage to Judith Ann Johnson at the North Methodist Church in Minneapolis.

They made their first home in Boston where Tom attended seminary school at Boston University School of Theology. After ordination he served churches in Chartley and North Rehoboth in Massachusetts. Returning to Minnesota he served churches in Hills City/Swatara, Vernon Center/Amboy, Marshall Albright/Lynd, and Northfield. He then served as District Superintendent of the Southwest District before returning to ministry at Centennial Methodist in Roseville. He retired in 2002 after 39 years of service with the United Methodist Church.

Above all he enjoyed his family. Married to Judy for 48 years, plus his children Debbie, Tom E. and Sarah, all filled his life with joy. In later years he enjoyed time with his 7 grandchildren. His hobbies included canoeing and hiking, sports officiating (football, baseball, softball, and hockey), historic re-enactment that included the voyageur of the fur trade era, various church personages from history, and life in the year 1900. Here he enjoyed the experience of teaching children about history in the first person.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Judy; son Tom E. Brennan and wife Sara Streichen of South St. Paul; two daughters, Deborah Smith and significant other Scott Ahlers of Savage, Sarah Brennan and significant other Mark Kruse of Apple Valley; seven grandchildren, Michael, Connor, Megan, Joshua, Jacob, Jack and Mason; and two brothers, Jack (Lucille) Brennan of Pennsylvania and Bob (Lynn) Brennan of South Carolina. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant twin son Michael John.

Memorials to Superior Hiking Trails, Southern Arizona Hiking Club, Hope Lodge in Rochester, or the United Methodist Annual Conference for Programs.

Arrangements by the Bierman Funeral Home of Northfield.