Annette C. Brelje

Annette C. "Anne" Brelje (Nee Mueller) of Rockford entered into her eternal rest with Jesus on May 10, 2010. Born July 24, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan. Anne attended Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, Illinois; Indiana-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, Indiana; and, Lewis University. Married Milford C. "Mel" Brelje on August 16, 1952 in Jehovah Lutheran Church, Detroit, Michigan. Anne was organist at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Gilroy, California. She served as secretary to her pastor and husband, especially when he was editor of the California and Nevada Lutheran and when he wrote a family Advent devotional booklet published by the Lutheran Laymans League and distributed to congregations. She worked as a social worker in a downtown Fort Wayne medical clinic for the poor. She co-led, with her husband, student spiritual growth groups at Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, when her husband was on the faculty there. Anne developed a counseling practice in Rockford, which she pursued until her retirement. Anne is survived by her husband Reverend Milford C. "Mel" Brelje; sons, Christopher J. (Linda) Brelje of Goodyear, Arizona, and Jonathan M. (Valerie) Brelje of Fort Wayne, Indiana; daughter, Lisa R. (Jeff) Whitgrove of Rockford; grandchildren, Kate and Tyler Brelje, Kyle Whitgrove, Tanner and Cooper Brelje, and brother, John G. Mueller of Fort Wayne, Indiana. A memorial service will be held at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, Illinois on June 5, 2010 at 2p.m. Officiants: Reverend Robert Rub, Jr., Pastor Emeritus, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Rockford and pastor of Risen Savior Lutheran Church, Winnebago; Reverend Lee Meyer, recently retired Lutheran Campus Pastor at Arizona State University. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Northern Illinois Hospice & Grief Center, 4215 Newburg Road, Rockford, Illinois 61108. Express condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.