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Brenda Jean (Gruver) Meizo of Forest Lake passed away peacefully at home on July 23, 2023. It was sudden, and unexpected by everyone that loved her.

Brenda was born in Chisago City, Minnesota on April 8, 1967 to Lester and Linnea (Sundeen) Gruver. She graduated from North Branch High School and earned an Associate’s Degree from Pine Technical College in Health and Human Services. Brenda was married to Thomas Caswell, and they lived together in southern Minnesota. They were married for several years, and had two daughters before separating. Brenda later gave birth to her son in 2001 in northern Iowa, where she and her children resided. In 2002 Brenda met David Meizo, and they were married in 2004. They had their youngest daughter together, and raised their blended family of five children together in Harris, Minnesota.

Earlier in her career, Brenda served as a financial worker for Kanabec County. She also managed a restaurant, and endeavored in several successful artistic opportunities. Eventually, she went on to operate a successful painting company with her husband. Brenda was a dependable and hard worker, her entire life. Brenda will be remembered as a beloved friend and confidant to many people. She was extremely active in NA. She sponsored, as well as supported, several people in the NA program for well over twenty years. This would often form deep and lifelong friendships. She is enormously missed by all the people whose lives she touched. Brenda became the manager of a sober household for the last couple of years, inspiring others with her own great strength to go forward with faith and compassion throughout life.

Thought of as a gifted artist by many, Brenda loved to sketch and draw in pencil and color. Art was her passion. She shared her art with family and friends. She taught her children to love drawing, poetry and all creative expression. Her muse was in nature, and she said that was where she saw God.

Brenda's greatest Joy in life was her children and her grandchildren, by blood or by relation. Several young women and men called Brenda ‘Mom’. She loved spending time with all the kids who called her Grandma or Gran-Brenny. 

Brenda is survived in this life by her children; Brandie Caswell, Ashley Mae (Luke) Gertz, Christina Meizo, Joshua Kruse, and Lindsey Meizo. Her grandchildren include Kaden, Katrina, Kollin and Everly.

She had a way of sharing how to make lemonade out of lemons, and she was unwavering in a crisis. Her humor was infectious, and often made a bad day better. The world is less bright without her, but her family believes she is watching over all of us, at peace. Brenda’s loving and kind spirit of heart will live on and be remembered, through her family.

Brenda is preceded in death by her husband Dave Meizo. She is survived by her parents, Lester and Linnea Gruver; brother David (Ailyn) Gruver; sister Laura (Gruver) Bowen, and several nieces and nephews.

The family is planning a Celebration of Brenda’s Life to be held at a later date, in the month of August. Details will be released later, on her social media profile. Condolences are appreciated, and may be expressed online at www.grandstrand fh.com.

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