Dena Sue Byrne (Cole)

Dena Sue Byrne, age 59, of Fenwick, passed away on Thursday, July 15, 2021, in Detroit at Henry Ford Hospital.

Dena loved being around people and interacting with them. Having attended the First Baptist Church of Carson City for over ten years, Dena was very active in the Women’s Ministry, various Bible study and prayer groups, and took several trips with their youth group, including going backpacking in Kentucky. Dena also had the unique ability to see the potential in things, which was she put to good use by restoring and refurbishing old furniture. She also loved all things crafting. Dena worked in several different fields throughout her life including, fashion merchandising, social work, postal carrier, massage therapist and business owner.

However, Dena’s favorite things in this world always involved her family and the traditions she carried on and created; camping and vacationing together, attending her grand children’s events, having everyone over to decorate sugar cookies, coloring Easter eggs, and everyone in her family always got an Easter basket and Christmas stocking no matter how old they were.

Surviving Dena is her husband, Jim Byrne; daughters, Stephanie (Josh) Herzog of Six Lakes; Noelle (Chris) Podoll of Clarksville; son, Colin (Shirley) Byrne of Fenwick; grandchildren, Sarah (Jakob) Pritner of Pensacola, Florida; Malachi Herzog of Six Lakes; Chloe Herzog of Six Lakes; John Podoll of Clarksville; great granddaughter, Jenna Pritner; mother-in-law, Joyce Byrne of Fenwick; sister, Tonya (Rick) Fifield of Cedar Springs; brothers, Art Smith of Comstock Park; Bob (Kathy) Smith of Allendale; Jim Cole Jr. of Marne; many sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; nieces; nephews; great nieces; and great nephews.

Dena was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Shirley (Farr) Cole and a sister-in-law, Nancy Smith.

Visitation for Dena is being held on Monday, July 19, 2021, from 5 to 8 PM at the Simpson Family Funeral Home in Sheridan (246 S. Main St.).

Funeral services for Dena will begin at 11 AM on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Center (10204 E. Carson City Rd., Carson City) with Pastor Jim Barret officiating.

For those wishing to donate in Dena’s memory the family suggests you direct them to the FBC Women’s Ministries. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and fellowship center.