Delores Cecelia Brunette

Delores (Dee) Cecelia Brunette, 95, of Fargo, ND, passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at Bethany on 42nd in Fargo, ND.

Dee was born January 12, 1929, to Anee and Mable (Ness) Gregoire in Grand Forks, ND. She grew up on the family farm near Thompson, ND, with her five siblings. She attended a one-room schoolhouse near the farm through the 7th grade and then went to boarding school at St. Benedict's Catholic School in Wild Rice, ND.

She was honored to have graduated valedictorian of her high school class. She met her future husband at St. Benedict's.

On January 12, 1951, Dee married Harvey (Bud) Brunette in San Antonio, TX, while Bud was stationed at Fort Lackland Air Force Base. The two oldest of their seven children, Michelle and Sheila, were born while they were in San Antonio. After Bud's military service, the family moved to Fargo, ND.

Raising her children was Dee's number one priority, and she was the neighborhood Mom to all of her children's friends. Anyone who walked through her door was assured of a home-cooked meal and delicious baked goods. Dee was a fabulous cook, which became her hobby, and she was so proud to receive a cookbook from her children and grandchildren of recipes compiled from all the family favorites in her collection.

When her children reached school age, Dee began working in the hospitality field and remarkably retired at 80 years old. She instilled a strong work ethic in all of her children.

Dee was very active in the lady's guild at St. Anthony's Catholic Church and supported and attended all her children's school activities. Besides her passion for cooking, she enjoyed sewing. She loved making beautiful matching dresses for her daughters to wear to church and for special occasions. She also enjoyed music, dancing, bowling, golfing, especially with her granddaughter Lisa, and hosting and attending family gatherings. She was a loyal fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Twins - she rarely missed a game. She cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dee is survived by her seven children, Michelle (Jerry) Rose, Fargo, ND, Sheila/Sunny (Chris) Haugen, Fargo, ND, Jeff (Shelley) Brunette, West Fargo, ND, Bryan (Theresa) Brunette, Lake 15, Hawley, MN, Jeanine (Paul) Dunn, Stone Mountain, GA, Jennifer (Joey) Finno, Snellville, GA, and Charlene Brunette (Ron Brown), Fargo, ND; sixteen grandchildren, Lisa Roscoe, Lacy Onstad, Logan (Shana) Onstad; Ryan (Robyn) Lavelle, Jessie (Eric) Berg, Anna (Erik) Johnson, Kai (Ashley) Haugen, Jami, Cody and Colton Brunette, Zach (Charlie) Brunette, Chelsea (Donovan) Lee, Jordan (Leah) Dunn, Jennifer (Bobby) Ellis, Courtney Holland, and Alicia Brunette (Robert); twenty-two great-grandchildren, Taylor, Haylee, Brody, Aluuin, Lucian, Constant, Emra, Evy, Solei, Harper, Dylan, Norah, Keller, Jaxsyn, Jaycee, Jazlynn, Julian, Ally, and new baby boy Dunn, Adrian, Mia, Saylor, and Trent. And many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother, Dennis (Betty) Gregoire, Thompson, ND; and her sister, Ada Ostgaard, Marietta, CA.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sisters, Ione Thom and Willa Mae Mercil; and her brother, Kenneth Gregoire.

The family of Delores Brunette gratefully acknowledges the exceptional in-home care provided by Shannon Lily, the services of Ethos Hospice, and the staff at Bethany while she was a resident there. A very special thank you to the wonderful team at Bethany for their compassion and care during Mom's final hours.

John 11:25-26
Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die."

A private family service and celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024.