Clarice Bren, 96, of Thief River Falls, MN, died on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, May 20, 2013 at Zion Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Ale Tulu and Reverend John Golv officiating. Burial will follow at Bethlehem of New Solum, Marshall County, MN. Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM, Sunday, May 19, 2013 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN, and also for one hour prior to the service at the church Monday. Clarice M. (Olson) Bren was born April 1, 1917, at home in New Solum Township in Marshall County, MN, to Arthur C. and Olga (Gustafson) Olson. She was baptized on June 3, 1917 at Bethlehem of New Solum. Clarice was confirmed on July 5, 1931 at Bethlehem Lutheran in Newfolden, MN. Clarice attended a one room school house known as the Sunshine School, Dist. #30 in New Solum Township. In 1934 she graduated from Newfolden High School. Following graduation she attended Teacher Training in Warren, MN, and later graduated from Bemidji State College. Before and during World War II Clarice taught in one room schools and also spent one year working in Minneapolis at a glider factory, supporting the war effort. On March 18, 1945 Clarice was united in marriage to Raymond Bren at Wooddale Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park. The couple made their home in Warren from September of 1945 until April of 1947 when they moved to Thief River Falls. They raised their five children and in 1964 she returned to teaching, first in Holt and then Viking, MN. Clarice loved reading, knitting, baking, and socializing. Since her retirement, Clarice stayed very involved with her church, friends, and family and especially loved traveling. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Delta Kappa Gamma, and various women's auxiliaries and social organizations. Clarice is survived by her children, Carol (Bart) Dunn of Hackensack, MN, James (Sandy Borja) Bren of Spirit Lake, ID, Mary (Dennis) Johnson of Pasadena, CA, Donald Bren and Joel Bren both of Thief River Falls; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 1 great great-grandson; sister, Leona Neegard of Warren, MN; sister-in-law, Dorothy Olson of Thief River Falls, MN; many other cousins and relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; her parents; brother, Alvin Olson; and grandchildren, Jeffrey Dunn and Jennifer Dunn. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Bethlehem of New Solum Cemetery Fund, Attn: Kari Moen, 26137 130th Ave NW, Newfolden, MN. 56738 or to Zion Lutheran Church, 505 Main Ave S., Thief River Falls, MN. 56701.