Ellen Brentine

Ellen Joan Bakker Brentine, 86, Topeka, Kansas passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Ellen was born December 4, 1937, the daughter of Henry and Clara Bakker in Shelburne Township on the family farm near Tyler, Minnesota. Ellen grew up on the family farm with her siblings as her best friends playing and working together daily. Her parents were remarkable faith-filled people, passing that trait onto Ellen. She was the ninth child of 11 siblings. She attended a nearby country school until the fourth grade. When the school closed, she would attend a public school in Ruthton, Minnesota, until graduating high school in 1955. Following high school, at the age of 17, Ellen entered the St. Paul’s Priory on September 7, 1955, in St. Paul, Minnesota. She became a Benedictine Postulant in December 1955, entered the Novitiate in June 1956, took her first vows in July 1957, second vows in July 1959 and her final vows were taken on July 11, 1961. Ellen graduated from the College of St. Catherine’s in St. Paul with a BA in Elementary Education and History. She would use this degree to pursue a long and accomplished teaching career. During her time with the convent, she taught from 1960 to 1973, teaching at Most Holy Trinity School, St. Bernard’s School, Assumption School, and St. Bridget’s. After leaving the convent, Ellen taught from 1973 to 1980 at Elmont Elementary in Topeka and 1980 to 2000 at West Indianola in Topeka. She retired after a 40-year teaching career in 2000. She did not stay away from school for long. In the spring of 2002, Ellen began volunteering at the Most Pure Heart of Mary School twice a week until 2005 when she began volunteering daily in the school’s computer lab until 2014. After she was granted a dispensation from her vows in February 1973, Ellen married Frank Brentine on December 19, 1973, in Perry, Kansas at St. Theresa Catholic Church; he preceded her in death in 2021, after 47 years of marriage. Along with her husband, Frank who had 51 years sobriety, Ellen was a grateful member of Al-Anon for over 50 years. Ellen was full of faith. She was an active member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, where she prayed at Adoration daily and was involved in many different Church groups. Ellen is survived by her brother, Charles Bakker (Sharon); sister, Cecilia Lipp (Rod); many nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, and beloved friends. She was also preceded in death by her parents; siblings, James Bakker, Agnes Prairie, James Joseph Bakker, Theresa Laleman, Mary DeSaer, George Bakker, Elizabeth (Betty) Lanoue, and Raymond Bakker; and nephew, Gordon Bakker (Gordy). Rosary will be prayed at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 3601 SW 17th Street, Topeka KS 66604, where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Ellen will be inurned at a later date in St. Dionysius Cemetery in Tyler, Minnesota, where her beloved Frank is already inurned. Ellen's Funeral Mass will be livestreamed on the funeral home Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Kevin-Brennan-Family-Funeral-Home-116876148342762/ In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Most Pure Heart of Mary Church, and sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Ellen Brentine

December 4, 1937 - May 8, 2024