Brenda Rae Spencley

Brenda Rae (Nelson) Spencley, age 70, passed away at Evergreen Living Center in St. Ignace, MI on May 7, 2022, following a short illness. She was born on May 15, 1951, in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan to Reino and Clarann (Garfield) Nelson.

Brenda grew up in Rudyard, Michigan, for the first few years of her life then moved to St. Ignace where she graduated from LaSalle High School. She was a member of the St. Ignatius Catholic Church, in St. Ignace. She was nominated as citizen of the year in 2014 and was a board member with CLMAA.

Brenda began her family after high school. She worked as a cook while in high school. She operated the Dairy Quick in St. Ignace. Over the years she also bartended at Driftwood Restaurant and Bar, worked as an aide at Community Action Head Start, the Super Value and was also a housekeeper. She managed Marshall’s Fudge and then the Truck Stop Restaurant. She was a caregiver and home health care aid for over 20 years. In 2004 she opened Bentley’s B-n-L Café with her business partner, Leeanne Trudo. After her business partner could no longer work, she continued to operate Bentley’s B-M-L Diner with her daughters. She loved visiting with customers and meeting new people. Brenda was a hard worker; often working 7 days a week but always made sure her house and yard were in order.

Brenda had such a big heart and was always serving others with her generosity and kindness. She always took care of everyone and often made daily calls to check in on her family and friends. She loved to open her home welcoming everyone to celebrate holidays.

Brenda was an amazing mother, raising three children on her own while working many jobs to
support them. She was a fabulous cook and a gifted baker and always made pineapple upside down cakes for funerals. She often took care of everyone and loved her family with a passion. She was an avid sports fan and drove to all her son’s football games during his high school and college career. She also attended many of her grandchildren sporting events. Lately, she especially enjoyed going on car rides with her daughters

Brenda is survived by her daughters, Lynann Spencley of St. Ignace, and Marcie (Eric) Danielson of St. Ignace; son, Dennis (Danielle) Savard of Frankenmuth, Michigan; grandchildren, Krista (Andy) Tamlyn, Bryant Danielson, Brennan (Haillee) Danielson, Josephine Savard, Elliot Savard, and Hobbs Savard; great grandchildren, Talise, Jordy and Sage Tamlyn; sisters, Donna Savard and Jane Weiss both of St. Ignace; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and “her boys.”

Brenda is preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Clarann Lambert; father; Reino (Marlies) Nelson; brother-in-law, Gary Weiss; and infant brother, Dennis Nelson.

A Memorial Mass will be at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, in St. Ignace, on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Noon. Visitation from 11:00 a.m. – 12 Noon. As per Brenda’s wishes a party to celebrate her life will be at her home at 4 p.m.

Memorials can be made to Evergreen Living Center at 1140 N. State Street, Saint Ignace, MI 49781.

Galer Funeral Homes & Cremation of Pickford, Michigan, is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.