Luann “Lu” Haslanger Brenimer
Early on the morning of January 4, 2022, Luann passed away at home in Helena, MT after a long battle with chronic illness. She was in the company of her husband Tim. Luann was 68 years old.
Luann was born in Frankfort Indiana on July 1, 1953. She was adopted into the loving home of Homer “Curly” Lee and Margaret Pauline Haslanger as an infant. She was their youngest child. Luann lived her early years in Indiana, Michigan and Illinois before moving to Montana at the age of 12.
After Luann graduated from Helena High School in 1971. She went to work as a front desk manager at the Placer Hotel where her mother was the hotel manager. It was at the hotel that Luann met her soulmate and the love of her life, Timothy “Tim” Lee Brenimer. Luann and Tim were married June 23, 1975. Luann had a daughter, Jilann “Jil” Jessica, from a previous marriage. Luann and Tim went on to have two more children, Dawn Leigh and Thomas “Tom” Lee.
Luann worked in a variety of industries before finding her true passion as a legal secretary. She worked in a local tax law firm. She then went on to work at Montana Legal Services. She found true joy in helping individuals during difficult legal times. Unfortunately, she had to retire early due to health-related issues.
Those who knew Luann were aware of her quick wit and penchant for giving advice. Her children were the beneficiaries of many pearls of wisdom on everything from birth control (put the pill between your knees and don’t drop it) to home heating and cooling (close the door, we aren’t heating/cooling the whole neighborhood). She loved to tell a good dirty joke that could make a sailor blush.
Luann had a love of books and sports. An avid reader, Luann’s favorite author was Stephen King. Her favorite sports were baseball and football. Luann was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves and the Denver Broncos. She had baseball rivalry with the neighbor that resulted in a 20-foot hand drawn banner displayed on her front fence that supported the Braves in the world series against the neighbor’s team. She and the banner were featured in the sports section of the newspaper. She would watch her beloved Broncos and had a special “bad call” brick made out of foam that she could hurl along with insults to those “blind idiots” who made bad calls against her team. She was also an avid bowler and was league secretary of several leagues at Capital City Bowl.
Luann also enjoyed history and the old west. She particularly enjoyed movies and books about Deadwood, South Dakota and Montana. She collected books about the haunted history of Montana and the Gold Rush.
Luann was an avid music lover. Her music collection spans disco, pop, rock and country. Some of her favorite artists were Brooks and Dunn, Reba, The Eagles and Bachman Turner Overdrive.
Her greatest joy in life was her children and grandchildren. She was a troop leader for Tom’s cub scout troop alongside her husband. She spent many summers shuttling Tom to baseball games. She was also involved with youth bowling leagues. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and passing on the same pearls of wisdom that she passed on to her own children.
Luann is preceded in death by her mother Margaret Pauline Wood, her stepfather Roy M. Wood, her beloved Aunts Fritzie and Mary, her best friend Kathy Shandy, her father-in-law Jackson Brenimer and her mother-in-law Jeanne Brenimer.
She is survived by her loving husband Tim, daughters Jil Abbott (Ray), Dawn Brenimer (Ben), Thomas Brenimer (Summer) and her grand children Matthew, Ashleigh, Timothy, Ellyette, Coleman, Laurelle, Lilly and Theodore.
A Celebration of Luann’s Life is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 14, 2022 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N Montana Ave., with a reception to follow the service in the Social Hall of the funeral home. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Luann.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
11:00 a.m.
Friday January 14, 2022
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Friday January 14, 2022
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
11:00 a.m.
Friday January 14, 2022
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Friday January 14, 2022
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Rod Applegate says
Tim, Jil, Dawn, Tom and the Brenimer family. I was so sadden to hear of Lu’s passing. Your story brought back so many fun memories of the times we spent at Capital City Bowl. There was never a dull moment around her, as she found true joy and fun in everything she did, and in everyone she met. That’s how I will always remember her. What a legacy she leaves behind! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you in this difficult time.
Durk Pipinich says
Tim so sorry to hear of your loss.
Shirley Bentzen Reese says
Tim and family:
I’m so sorry to learn of Luann’s passing. What a special gal! She was so full of joy and had such a great contagious laugh. She will be missed. I’m holding you all in prayer at this difficult time.
Brian and Candace Ahl says
Tom and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family. We are so very sorry for your loss.
Julie K. Strong says
Tommy and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. All the memories I can think of back at Capital City Bowl with your mom. She will definitely be missed.
Tom and Anne Jacobson says
Tim,
Tom and I are sorry for your loss.
Tom and Anne Jacobson
Wayne Overdier says
Tim,
Luann was 100% your soul mate and was the perfect strong willed woman that kept you whole. We are so sorry for your loss. Our are prayers are with you and the family. She left a part of herself for all to remember.