Belinda Joy Krenik
Tuesday, May 23, 1961
Date of Death:
Monday, September 2, 2024
Age:
63 years old
Belinda Joy Krenik
Belinda Joy Krenik, 63 of Pine Island, MN passed away at home on September 2, 2024 surrounded by her family.
Belinda Joy Johnson was born on May 23, 1961 in Eunice, Louisiana, to James and Patricia Johnson. At age five her family moved to Lake City, Minnesota. On August 3, 1985 she married Brian Krenik at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake City, and they settled in Pine Island, MN, where they raised their three boys. Belinda’s 33-year career at Olmsted County began as a social worker. She spent her last five years in Administration before retiring.
Belinda enjoyed many things in life and considered gift-giving as her Love Language. She was very creative and made everything from gift baskets to tie-dye t-shirts, to paper doll portraits. She enjoyed traveling, especially dragging her husband to Las Vegas to see her first love Donny Osmond. She had many tea parties in her back yard and loved to help with showers for her nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her husband Brian of Pine Island, her sons, Elijah of Pine Island, Gabriel (Ana) of Lodi NJ, Connor Major (Olivia) of St. Paul MN; sisters Lori (Dan) Tackmann of Waconia, MN, Teresa Weissinger of Lake City MN, Jana Johnson of Bali, her brother James (Anya) Johnson of Seattle WA, along with many brothers and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers-in-law Bruce Weissinger, Bill Krenik, and Terry Krenik.
The Memorial Mass for Belinda will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Rochester. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening, September 6, 2024 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home along with one hour prior to the Mass at church. Private burial will be at Pine Island Cemetery.
For memorials, please donate to a charity of your choice and any memorials given to the family will be presented to Pine Island area charities.
A special thank-you to Mayo Clinic Oncology, Radiation, and Palliative departments for the great care given to Belinda over the past 14 years. Also, thank-you to Season’s Hospice for assuring her final days were as comfortable as possible.
Online condolences are welcome www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Condolences
The family of Belinda Joy Krenik has received the following condolences.
Brian and family, I am praying for you all. David and I were so very lucky to know you and work with you both. Our community is a better place to live because of you both.
An Irish blessing
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
The rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of his hand
I just wanted to write and let you know how much I enjoyed working with Belinda while she was at Olmsted County. She was always such a kind co-worker and an incredible human being. Again, my deepest sympathies to all of Belinda's family. Sincerely Tom Olson
Mr. Krenik and family,
I was so sorry to hear of Belinda's passing. I am sending thoughts of comfort during this difficult time and will keep you in my prayers.
My deepest sympathy,
Mary Machulda
Deepest sympathy to Brian, Eli, Gabe, and Connor. Words fail to describe the feelings of loss. Belinda was truly grace under pressure over the last 14 years of battle with cancer. She really showed us how to make the most of everyday, even in the face of overwhelming odds. I was so impressed how she would take trips across the country to fulfill her dreams and make the most of every minute that she was around friends and family.
I recently learned that Belinda and I were born only 4 days apart and we both moved to Lake City in the same year. We went through high school together and played in the school band together for 8 years. She seemed a little shy and quiet in high school, but always had a wonderful smile and a witty sense of humor.
Our soulful discussions over the last two years were priceless to me. She encouraged me to start writing again as we reviewed the adventures of our lives. Even though we lived 1000 miles apart, I will truly miss having her friendship in my life. Peace, Belinda.
In the too short time I knew Belinda, I immediately recognized she was a woman of many talents. It didn’t take me long to realize she not only possessed these talents, she shared them generously with everyone she met. It was her zest for life, her joy, her caring and her humor that drew me in first. She truly does live on in all who knew and loved her. She is a remarkable person! I loved her at first sight! ❤️
Our prayers are with your family.
Jana, I’m so sorry to see this news. My deepest condolences to you and your family at this time. I know it has been a long road. May Belinda’s memory be a blessing to you all.
Stephanie and Danny
Mr. Krenik and family,
Our prayers are with you during this heartbreaking time.
May the memories of Belinda and the love of family surround you and give you strength in the days ahead.
Our sincerest sympathy,
Henry and Jenna Macken Family
Our heart breaks for your family, but our hearts smile thinking of your reunion. Your heart was absolutely beautiful and our mom had such a special place in her heart for you. You will forever be in our hearts, Belinda. Please accept our condolences.
The Marcantel Family
Mobile, AL
First friend from kindergarten, Belinda, I’m grateful & honored to know you!
We shared our hearts, our hometown and our families growing up~ from the innumerable belly laughs to the depths of sorrow to the JOY in the sweet satisfaction of raising our own families.
I will always remember Belinda’s easy, dimpled smile and the mischievous twinkle in her bright blue eyes. So fortunate to know this brilliant communicator and kindred soul~ always thoughtful, creative and gracious. I will dearly miss Belinda’s spicey sense of humor and her amazing ability to share her wise perspective & heartfelt spirituality.
Her faithful crew of “Beasty Boys” ~Eli, Gabe, Connor and her steadfast husband Brian- as well as her wonderful siblings, were incredibly supportive and present throughout her journey. With Belinda’s lead, they made adventures happen and connections deepen.
Belinda, you are always loved and your shining presence is forever amongst us.
My deepest condolences to Belinda’s family and all her siblings (family). I knew Belinda through Jana and felt her impact on Jana’s life. Through this I could feel how special Belinda is. Last year I got a chance to connect with her bit. Her beautiful gentle heart, joyful nature and love was very palpable to witness. Am grateful our paths crossed and I had the honour to be connected to such a beautiful being. Belinda your legacy is beautiful and how you moved through life is inspiring. Thank you for everything. May your journey forward be blessed and beautiful.
Lots of love to the whole family
with deepest regards
Niki
Dear Family,
I am sending you all love and light as you grieve Belinda’s passing. I feel so fortunate that I got to know her amazing spirit and heart. Belinda was generous and kind, creative and brave. She was a ray of light to all of us lucky enough to be fellow travelers in our brief and precious lifetime.
With much love,
Pesha
The world will be a little sadder without your bright spirit. Thank you for being my friend. May you rest in God's loving arms until we meet again. Unfortunately, we are in Ghana and won't be able to attend your funeral.😢💔🙏
Brian and boys
There are no words to describe our sorrow right now. Belinda has been a great coworker, friend, confidant and movie buddy. We will truly miss her. May God grant you all comfort during this difficult time
all our love
dave and Donna mueller
Brian,
We were so sorry to see that Belinda passed away on Monday. We know you were a great support to her as she struggled with health issues these past years. We will keep her and your family in our prayers.
I didn’t know until now that Belinda’s middle name was Joy, but that is so fitting. Belinda exuded joy every day. She made everyone around her feel special and happy. When I retired from Olmsted County (my last day was Halloween), Belinda gave me so many cute decorations for the holiday that I still use today. We didn’t work that closely together and still she made sure I felt valued. I know it’s said a lot, but Belinda truly touched so many lives.
Dear Brian and Family,
I met your lovely wife and mom in 1990 through Olmsted County. Belinda was my first mentor and modeled patience, kindness and respect, althougn these are only a few of her many wonderful attributes. When I think of Belinda, the warmth of her presence instantly warms my soul. Thank you for sharing your wife and mom for the time she was on earth. Her presence will live on through those whom she touched.
Blessings,
Debra Dalin
My Condition to the Krenik Family
I worked with Belinda when I worked for Olmsted County. She was a happy go lucky woman and enjoyed all the beautiful baskets and gifts she made for her friends. If you were lucky enough to receive one, you were one happy person. Her gifts were creative and oh so beautiful.
She was a friend to many, and will be missed.
Love ❤️ and prayers to family and friends.
Julia Koepsell
Brian and boys
There are no words to describe our sorrow right now. Belinda has been a great coworker, friend, confidant and movie buddy. We will truly miss her. May God grant you all comfort during this difficult time
all our love
dave and Donna mueller
Where to start? I have known Belinda since she was a small child. My kids grew up with her and her siblings - since her mum and I were best friends, we were often at each other's homes. I always knew Belinda was an "old spirit." As she was growing up, we would sit and have conversations as if we were both adults (she was probably way ahead of me!). We played together, rode horse together, she babysat for my kids, she consoled, cried and laughed with me. Her radiance spread out around her like beams of spiritual energy - wherever she was and whomever she was with. She brought joy to her wide circle - a circle of the world that was often struggling and broken. She healed - with her love. She taught all of us and was a lesson for all of us to follow. Only love heals - ever. Belinda - as you know - you are SO loved and will be missed forever by everyone of us.
Meeting early in life and to this day, Belinda has been a heart warming and caring friend to me and many of our Lake City classmates and friends.
She was a grounding rod and an example of how to be; forever grateful for what the Lord provides, always a warm, loving soul, able to listen first and careful not to judge. Forever present and unassuming.
Belinda loved her men; Brian for his ability to always make her smile and be by her side through the good and the tough days (thank you Brian!); and her boys, Eli, Gabe and Connor. For the special people they have become and the life mates they have been blessed with. And of course she loved her siblings and their families; cherishing every moment they had together as their lives unfolded.
Johnson and Krenik families, we are sorry for your loss but forever grateful for the many years past 2010 she blessed us with her love and presence. Danita & Mark
Belinda had an internal spark of joy that inspired all who knew her!! I was blessed to meet her as one of her teachers in the 1970s and when she was attending college in the town where I lived, she was the only human I trusted to babysit my first newborn son. I will miss her smile, her spirit, her kindness and her optimistic attitude. May God bless her family and all who knew her as we grieve the loss of this one of a kind, beautiful, strong and very loving women. ❤️
My heart is broken at the loss of such a beautiful person. Her middle name really fit perfectly. She brought so much JOY to those around. Even if we went months (or yes even years) without catching up when we finally did it was as if we hadn't missed a day. Brain you are amazing. Much love to you, her wonderful sons & the entire family. Memories of Belinda will live in my heart forever.
Belinda was my dear friend for almost 40 years. She was the kindest person I have ever known, with the most beautiful, loving soul. The world is a little darker place without Belinda. Brian, Eli, Gabe and Connor, I am so sorry for your loss.