Bernetta Lucille Browen

Bernetta L. Browen, age 96, of Cambridge died September 9, 2025 at GracePointe Crossing. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, September 20th at Karmel Covenant Church. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Bernetta Lucille Diede was born on July 22nd, 1929 on their family farm near Wetonka, South Dakota to Emilia (Kallenberger) and Christian Hugo Diede; the second of eight children. She met her husband, LeRoy, while waitressing at a restaurant in Alexandria, SD. They were married on June 14th, 1951 and moved to Isanti County in 1952 where they purchased their Springvale Township farm.

In addition to raising six children and working on the farm, she also cared for residents at Cambridge State Hospital and Sunbergs Nursing Home (now Gracepointe Crossing). Health issues for Roy resulted in their early retirement from farming. This reality began over 40 years of passion for serving the community and others through volunteering. A passion second only to the time spent with their family and each other. They were an inseparable team.

In 2003, she was selected as the women's Isanti County Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year. While the Minnesota's Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year award was ultimately given to her husband, he immediately brought her to the stage to share in the honor. This award celebrated her many years of service with Seven County Senior Federation, Isanti County Commission on Aging, Senior Partners Care Program, Senior Dining Site Council, Senior Activity Center (SACs), One More Time Clothing Center, Foster Grandparents, VA Hospital, Women's Missionary Society, Vacation Bible School and many other volunteer activities. This quote from her nomination described her well "Bernetta is the kind of person who quietly has given of herself tirelessly and without hesitation. She truly cares about others and puts their needs before her own". She continued this approach to life as long as she was able and enjoyed many wonderful years at Mill Ridge Terrace Independent Living as she took new residents under her wing, spent countless hours crafting for fundraisers, developed her love of calling and playing bingo, watering outdoor plants, baking for coffee and other activities while still managing to fit in her love of puzzles, playing pinochle, bridge and other games.

Bernetta passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 at GracePointe Crossing surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy; grandson, Nathan Schleicher; parents, Emilia and Christian Hugo Diede; sisters, Viola Liedle and Betty Farm; and brother, Roy Diede.

Bernetta is survived by her children – Diane Thompson (Mike) of Princeton MN, Gary Browen (Cheryl) of Andover MN, Donna Auth (Jeff) of Cambridge MN, Greg Browen (Luanne) of Dalbo MN, Dale Browen (Patty) of Opole MN, and Julie Weeks-Freedman (Dave) of Maple Grove MN; 20 grandchildren – Amy Dronen (Marc), Jenna Thompson (Tim), Matthew Thompson (Leah), Brian Thompson (Angela), Melissa Harper (Jason), Heather Fenwick (Dustin), Justin Browen (Hannah), Danett Manders (Jay), Kevin Auth (Kalyn), Tim Browen (Aleasha), Mandy Kazmerzak (Paul), Tony Browen (Shelly), Chelsea Johnson, Craig Browen (Julie), Derek Browen, Ethan Weeks (Rian), Kally Marschall (Travis), Sydney Thielen (Evan), Nicole Freedman, and Avery Freedman; 47 great-grandchildren – Emmy (Austin), Addy, Ivy, Isaac, Levi, Lydia, Micah, Caleb, Julia, Ava, Carter, Arika, Rakayla, Wyatt, Ella, Mason, Maddy, Lilly, Hayden, Kinsley, Kathryn (Ashton), Kaylie (Lucus), Cody, Ellie, Owen, Peyton, Alexis, Cade, Maelie, Dawson, Aaliyah, Makenna, Camden, Lilah, Theo, Dillon, Kira, Madden, Niko, Tucker, Trevyn, Tate, Taylin, Teddy, Charlotte, Harper and Palmer; 3 great-great-grandchildren – Finley, Remi and Bennett. Also survived by her sister, Norma Hoffman of Aberdeen SD, Harvey Diede of Aberdeen SD, Melvin Diede of Sublimity OR, and Roger Diede of Independence, OR; and many other relatives and friends.

Special thanks to the GracePointe Crossing staff and volunteers, Optage Hospice and specifically Jane Brodeen. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you do. The work you do is truly a gift and we will always be grateful.

Her family will miss most her smirk-like smile, Christmas baking, her potato salad and apple pie, her crazy love of bingo and, most of all, the love and support that she showed each of us in every aspect of our lives.

Wherever a beautiful soul has been there is a trail of beautiful memories. ~Ronald Reagan