Brenda Jo Sumner
January 19, 1940 ~ January 9, 2021
Brenda Jo Sumner, 79, of Columbus, died at 2:45 pm, Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Keepsake Village of Columbus.
Brenda was born January 19, 1940 in Columbus, the daughter of Carl and Victoria Newland Olmstead. She married Gerald Sumner, he passed away April 24, 2012.
In her early years Brenda spent most of her life in Portage, IN. There she owned and operated her own hair salon in her home. She was a world traveler with trips to Alaska, London and she visited Hawaii several times. Brenda enjoyed politics and was proud to be an American. She volunteered her time at various veteran organizations such as the VFW, and the American Legion in Portage, IN. Those that knew Brenda, knew she gave so much of herself to help others. In her busy schedule, she found time to be a good homemaker as well. Brenda will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
The funeral service will be private with the Pastor John Armstrong officiating. Calling will be from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, Friday, at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral home. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery, Columbus, Indiana. Live streaming of Brenda’s service will be available at 10:00 on Friday by going to www.jewellrittman.com
Memorials may be made to the Bartholomew County Humane Society or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.
Survivors include a sister, Bernice Wood, of Columbus; a brother-in-law, Cliff Sumner of Portage, IN; a niece and caregiver, Sandy (Jeff) Gassaway, other nieces and nephews include, Joyce (Mike) Crank, Tracy Wood, Jeff (Rae) Wood, Mike Wood, Troy (Jackie) Wood and Matt (Jessica) Wood, all of Columbus, IN.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, nephew, Donnie Wood and a niece, Loretta Wood.
Services were entrusted to the Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home.
Jewell – Rittman Family Funeral Home would like to thank everyone in advanced for wearing masks and practicing social distancing while attending gatherings.
You are invited to view her video tribute, light a virtual candle and send a message to the family via the internet.
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My favorite memory of Aunt Brenda is her love of ghost stories. We would have grand cousin sleep overs at her estate in Portage. She and Uncle Jerry would build a fire in the evenings and Aunt Brenda would tell ghost stories that were great. Sometimes silly, sometimes spine-tingling, sometimes true (her love of history) – always entertaining. Always.
Say “Hi” to Uncle Jerry for us.
– Your Nephew, Joshua Sumner
Always had a good time with Brenda. Lived to hear her stories and she had some great ones. She never new a stranger. Very dedicated to her family, friends and organizations she was involved in. Bless you Brenda and rest well! Love you, Jerry’s baby sister.
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Aunt Brenda worked her hardest to do what was right. She was generous, elegant, fun, and had a great sense of humor. I miss her tremendously.
Brenda had an unwavering sense of right and wrong and had no problem sharing her opinion on current events. I loved our visits. We would talk and laugh and usually go out to eat. No matter where we went to eat, people would stop by to say hello to her. The most fun I remember was going to a service club she belonged to and she sang Karaoke to a couple of Dolly Parton songs. She loved life and being around people. Sometimes she would talk about growing up. Some of her experiences were pretty hard but she always put a positive spin on them and was never bitter. Mostly I remember she and my brother made each other very happy. Thank you Brenda. I will always miss you and smile when I think of you.
Your brother in law Cliff
It’s a sad day to learn of my step mothers passing. She was an excellent grandma to her 5 older grandchildren and I’m sure she would have been just as great to her 5 younger grandchildren had my father not passes away.
RIP Brenda, say hi to Dad
This woman one of the nicest and funniest people i have ever met.
Brenda had the best pink Barbie doll kitchens. She was one pf a kind. May she rest in heaven with Jerry
A fun kind loving person, had a lot of great times. Rest in peace Brenda
Kathy and Jackie
I just learned of Brenda’s passing. I am so sorry to hear! I wish I could have been at the services. I love you and miss you!