Funeral services for Brenda Ann Avelar of Albert Lea will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church.

Interment will be in St. Theodore Cemetery.

Brenda died surrounded by her family on Thursday, July 25, 2013, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea. She was 52.

Brenda was born on Sept. 3, 1960, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Francis E. and Opal H. (Wagner) Gulbertson.

She attended Freeborn and Wells public schools. She was a member of St. Theodore Catholic Church, In Country Veteran’s Motorcycle Group and was a life member of the DAV and VFW auxiliaries.

Brenda enjoyed camping, bingo, cards and trips to the casino.

She was especially proud of her grandchildren and her family always came first in her life.

Brenda is survived by her husband, Joe, of Albert Lea, her father Francis Gulbertson of Albert Lea; children: Josephine Consuela Avelar (special friend Timothy Stadig) of Austin, Jose Alfonso Avelar (fiancee Amy Lyn Rye) of Austin, Adam Alonzo Avelar (fiancee Carmen E. Rivera) of Albert Lea, Samantha Jo Reyerson (Josh) of Glenville, Brenda Lee Avelar of Albert Lea, Tabitha Ann Avelar (special friend Shane D. Bolinger) of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Tre Steven Honsey, Brayden Dean Reyerson, KayLyn Hope Avelar, Haylee Sue Reyerson, Hunter Joseph Avelar, Camden Curtis Reyerson, Alexia Nevaeh Avelar, Joseph Issac Avelar, Aidyn Pierre Bolinger, Antonio Alonzo Avelar, Ezra James Stadig, Karson James Bolinger, Terrance Daniel Bolinger; brothers: Arnold Gulbertson and Francis Gulbertson, both of Albert Lea; sisters: Alzada Gulbertson (special friend Kent Flatness) of Albert Lea, Cherri Nelson (Steve) of Albert Lea, Marlene Boerner of Albert Lea; father-in-law: Joe Alfonso Avelar, Joplin, Mo., brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Rudy and Manuela Avelar of Oklahoma City, Okla., Salvador Avelar of Minneapolis,, Eddy and Becky Avelar of Northwood, Rueben and Carla Avelar of Northwood, David Avelar of El Paso, Texas, Henry and Bonnie Avelar of Joplin, Mo., Mary Ann and Gilbert Johnson of Albert Lea, Diane and Raymond Quintilla of Albert Lea, Yolanda and Rueben Cardona of Joplin, Mo., Leticia and Kenny Robinson of Waseca, and Alfred Avelar (Karlene Whelan) of Albert Lea and many, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her mother Opal Gulbertson, stepson Little Joe Avelar, mother-in-law Ventura Avelar, grandparents; brother-in-law Edwin Boerner and many aunts and uncles.