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Merlene was born on November 13, 1931 in Bellwood, Nebraska to Merlon and Luella (Taylor) Carpenter. She grew up in the Bellwood area and received her education there.
On August 8, 1947, Merlene Carpenter was married to Richard O. Brandenburgh in Concordia, Kansas. They had lived in David City and Scottsbluff in Nebraska while her husband was a Nebraska State Patrolman. In 1962, they moved to Fremont where they have operated Dick's Zesto Drive Inn. Her husband died in February of 1993. Merlene remained active in the Zesto business until 1997, along with their son Richard and his wife Donna, who now operated the business.
Merlene was a member of First Lutheran Church.
She was preceded in death in addition to her husband, by a brother, Lynn Carpenter.
Survivors: 3 sons – Richard and wife Donna Brandenburgh of Fremont
Randy and wife Sue Brandenburgh of San Antonio, Texas
Rodney and wife Sarah Brandenburgh of Acworth, Georgia
1 daughter – Dienna and husband Robert Mortensen
11 grandchildren
14 great grandchildren
1 brother – Keith and wife Dawn Carpenter of Lakeside, California
The funeral service will be 10:30 AM Monday (Dec. 31st) at the First Lutheran Church with the Rev. Matt Knopf. The committal will follow in Memorial Cemetery. Visitation at the Ludvigsen Mortuary will be on Sunday (Dec. 30th) from 2 to 7 PM.