Jay D. Brennan

Jay D. Brennan, 51 of Rochester, MN died Sunday, April 22, 2018 at his home. Jay Donald Brennan was born March 7, 1967 to Donald and Gail (Wheeler) Brennan in Rochester, MN. He started playing hockey at age 4. He graduated from John Marshall High School in 1985, where he was a skilled member of the hockey team. He continued his education at Rochester Vo-Tech. Jay worked for D&R Star Vending, IBM, and most recently in the phlebotomy and gastrointestinal departments at Mayo Clinic. Jay married Dana Doerre on September 15, 1990 and had two children. On March 18, 2000 he married Gina Gifford, originally from Durand, WI (daughter of Gordon and LaVina Gifford). Jay liked to spend his summers on Round Lake in Hayward, WI with Gina, good friends, and family. He and his girls loved to sing country songs together. He also enjoyed reading a good military or mystery book, and was an avid sports fan, especially of the Minnesota Wild and his superstar basketball nephews. Jay enjoyed keeping his yard meticulously maintained, and he knew all there was to know about M*A*S*H* re-runs. He recently had a secret passion for finding recipes on Pinterest for his new Traeger grill. Jay is survived by his wife, Gina of Rochester, MN; his daughters, Mariah and Carissa Brennan both of Rochester, MN; his parents, Donald and Gail Brennan of Rochester, MN; his maternal grandmother, Ruth Wheeler of Rochester, MN; his brother, Jeff Brennan of Albertville, MN and his sister, Jennifer (Richard) Hurt of Rochester, MN; and his nieces and nephews, Brieanna and Ellie Brennan; Michael, Matthew, and Katie Hurt; Karl Gifford Bauer; and Peter and Thomas Jensen. Jay was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Martin and Dorothy (Meyer) Brennan; maternal grandfather, Lyle Wheeler; and his cousin, Casey Carroll. A funeral service will be held Friday, April 27, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes and one hour prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home. To leave a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901, (507) 289-3600.