Ms. Brenda May Nyhof-Dunn

Brenda was born on May 26, 1976 at Emanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon and was the daughter of Gordon and Brendine (Rens) Nyhof. She grew up in Gresham where she attended Orient Grade School and graduated from Barlow High School. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa in 1998. She took up residence in Grand Rapids thereafter where she worked for Goodwill Industries as a Peer Support Specialist for 7 years. Brenda resided with her parents In Gresham for the last 9 months of her life and attended Parklane Christian Reform Church in Portland.

Brenda was a kind, soft spirit with a beautiful smile. She was a gifted pianist, vocalist and composer who loved music. She enjoyed walks in the park, games such as Pictionary, cats and chocolate ice cream and strawberries. She had a heart for working with the mentally disabled and she adored playing with kids. She was energetic, merciful and compassionate and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Brenda is survived by her dad, Gordon Nyhof and her "Mom-Too", Rachel Cain-Nyhof both of Gresham, brothers, Ranald Nyhof of Orange City, Iowa and Bradley (wife, Amy) Nyhof and their children, Lily and William all of Shoreline, Washington.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 13, 2012 at 11:00 am at Parklane Christian Reform Church in Portland, Oregon. Visitation will be on Thursday, July 12th from 2:30 – 5:00 pm. A second service will be held on July 17th, 2012 at the Living Water Christian Reform Church in Orange City, Iowa. Brenda will be laid to rest at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center, Iowa. Contributions may be made to Dordt College Music Scholarship at Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa. Bateman Carroll Funeral Home in Gresham and Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City, Iowa are handling the arrangements.

"God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all." I John 1:56 "Follow the Light…" (Title of Brenda's composition)