Brenda Sue Harrington
May 14, 1950 – April 11, 2026
A funeral service to honor her life will be held at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home on Friday, April 17, 2026, beginning at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Steve Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home beginning at 10:00 a.m., one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park South. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Kalamazoo Shrine Club, c/o the funeral home.
Obituary
Brenda Sue Harrington age 75 of Kalamazoo passed away at Bronson Hospital on Saturday, April 11, 2026. She was born in Kalamazoo on May 14, 1950, the daughter of the late Harold and Annamae (Zuidema) Homan. Brenda was kind, loving and full of joy. She lived her life to the fullest and will be remembered fondly by those who loved her. She was always active and enjoyed being out and about. She made many fond memories camping and loved taking trips to the Upper Peninsula. She also spent many sunny days at the Martin Dragway and was an avid fan of Drag, Circle Dirt and Harley Drag racing. She enjoyed the excitement of the casino and the tranquility of lighthouses. She worked hard as a hairdresser and also as a clerk at Harding’s Market on Westnedge Avenue. She had a special place in her heart for animals and was very fond of her loyal dog, “Splash”. She believed in the Lord and attended First Reformed Church of Portage with her sister whenever possible. Above all Brenda loved her family and her friends. She was a loving wife, involved grandmother and great grandmother, faithful sister and friend. On September 20, 1984, she married Craig A. Harrington who survives. She is also survived by a son, Todd (Veronica) Harrington; daughter, Tami Harrington; grandchildren, Brianna Hughes, Dawson Mallard, Pete and Alisha Harrington, Dustin and Brittany; great-grandchildren, Lola Brennan, Beau Harrington, Artemis and Aries Mallard, T.J. Bennett; sister, Sharon Krohn; sister-in-law, Debra Homan; brother-in-law, Dee Bigelow; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. She was also preceded in passing by a granddaughter, Allie Hughes; brother, Lee Homan; sister, Luann Bigelow; brother-in-law, Gerald Krohn; parents-in-law.
I first met Brenda when she started working at Harding`s. Our first conversations were about auto racing and Harley Davidsons. Within minutes, we discovered that we both knew a lot of the same people, going way back in time. I knew when I first met Brenda, I knew she was the type of person I wanted to know. She was all the things most people only wish they could be. She was a very REAL person who knew what the word “integrity” meant and was the type of person who would standup for other people who couldn`t stand tall for themselves. She was fun and funny and if she Loved You, it was for life. The last we spoke on the phone, was last July when I came back from my adventure to Africa. She was going through some hard times, medically and I told her as soon as she was feeling up to it, I would bring my laptop over filled with hundreds of photos and videos and take her on an adventure o Africa. I regret, I did not learn of her passing until yesterday morning. Don`t you worry about a thing, Brenda. As soon as I find you, I will keep my end of the bargain and take you to the 1 place here on earth that is home to the most beautiful and plentiful wildlife, which we both LOVE so much.
Sharon and family. I didn’t know your sister, but she sounded like a lovely woman. I’m so sorry for your loss. It such a difficult thing, losing a sister. Prayers to you and your family.