brenda sederberg

My friend Brenda Sederberg passed away this week. She and her family have been on my mind. I know it was a blessing and I feel joy that she is now released from being bed ridden with MS. But it is also a bittersweet time with all who love and miss her, most especially her kids and husband Tom.

Her funeral was perfect and uplifting and I walked away with wanting to do better in the important things. I thought her son Matt did such a good job as he talked about their family life and what he has learned from his Mom, living these past 17 years with MS in their home. President Brady's talk with the Beatitudes was wonderful. This family allowed themselves to be molded by God in such a loving and graceful way as they served one another. I will miss the most, seeing Tom's love for Brenda as he took her for evening wheelchair walks in the neighborhood. They were always a reminder of their deep love for each other.

The women who helped Brenda through the years sang the Hymn 'Each Life That Touches Ours For Good'.  I have loved being able to serve Brenda these past years. I know the Lord opens up time for us to serve one another. I know we were a blessing in their lives, but those us who were able to help her were far more blessed in return. My Tuesdays with Brenda are gone, though my phone alarm still goes off as a reminder of the times I need to be there. I like that. To honor Brenda, I will look for others to serve.

I was able to help with the luncheon at church after the funeral and loved being with my church family friends. We all love Brenda and we love our Heavenly Father.

-Brenda

1953 ~ 2012

Brenda Clark Sederberg passed away peacefully at home on 3 September 2012. 

Brenda was born in Provo, Utah, on 3 May 1953 to Alan and Janet Clark and was raised in Utah and Idaho. She attended Ricks College, and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in elementary education from Brigham Young University. In 1978 she married Thomas W. Sederberg for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Brenda loved her profession and taught grade school for five years. When she became a mother, she dedicated her teaching skills full time to her own family. She and Tom were blessed with eight wonderful children. She instilled in her children a love of learning, of family, of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and of music. 

In 1995, Brenda was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis, which she battled valiantly for the final 17 years of her mortal life. Though this trial diminished her physical abilities, it increased her faith and refined her beautiful character. She remained as involved with life as her weakening body would allow; she volunteered at her children's schools for several years and attended church every week without fail. For the past seven years, Brenda required extra care, so dozens of compassionate neighbors organized to assist her with her daily needs. 

Brenda adopted the motto "I can do hard things," which is a prominent part of her legacy. She will be remembered for her generosity, thirst for knowledge, perennially positive attitude, dedication to her family, zest for life, unselfish nature, and Christlike demeanor. 

Brenda is survived by her husband, Tom, and their children: Rebecca (Michael) Kellogg and

their sons Thomas, Isaac, and Maxwell of Saugus, California; Matthew (Tricia) and their children Henry and Camilla of Orem; Maria of Salt Lake City; Timothy (Christina) and their sons Zachary and Owen of Vineyard; Mark (Jill) of Fort Worth, Texas; Laura (Wolfgang) Jaeger of Orem; Angela, and Michael.

She is also survived by her mother, Janet Clark, of Idaho Falls, Idaho; siblings Doug (Michelle) Clark of San Antonio, Texas; LeAnne (Ron) Bunn of Nicholasville, Kentucky; Marie (Brad) Ritchie of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Gordon (Lisa) Clark of Pocatello, Idaho; and Curtis (Karla) Clark of Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Funeral services will be held at the LDS chapel on 1051 East 200 North in Orem at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 8, with a viewing from 8:30-9:30 a.m. A viewing will also be held at Sundberg-Olpin Funeral Home at 495 South State Street, Orem, Utah, on Friday, September 7 from 6-8 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, Brenda encourages donations to the general LDS Church Missionary Fund or the Perpetual Education Fund.

Jeanne, Connie, Donnell, Brenda, Jan, Laura Lee

My favorite picture of their family all together, when she had 

just learned she had MS

Her family now...

Laura, Christa, Virginia, Sandra Kathy Jo, Terry, Jeanne, Rosemary, Laura Lee, 

Julie and Laura Lee

Each Life That Touches Ours For Good

1. Each life that touches ours for good

Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;

Thou sendest blessings from above

Thru words and deeds of those who love.

2. What greater gift dost thou bestow,

What greater goodness can we know

Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways

Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

3. When such a friend from us departs,

We hold forever in our hearts

A sweet and hallowed memory,

Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

4. For worthy friends whose lives proclaim

Devotion to the Savior’s name,

Who bless our days with peace and love,

We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.