Brenda LeAnn Moerke, age 73, of Durham, North Carolina, formerly of Salem, South Dakota and Adrian, Minnesota, died Monday, February 2, 2026 at Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina.

Brenda LeAnn Moerke was born October 3, 1952 in Adrian, Minnesota to Lawrence and Tillie (Heronimus) Moerke. She graduated from Adrian Public High School in 1970 and Worthington Community College in 1972. In 1974 Brenda received her Bachelor of Science degree in Art and later her Master's in Education Administration from South Dakota State University. Starting in 1975 until her retirement in 2011 Brenda taught K-12 Art at Salem Public Schools along with coaching the award-winning Marching Band flag squad. She enjoyed sharing her artistic knowledge and creativity with her students and teaching them about art history, painting, photography, textiles, ceramics, and sculpture to name just a few of the art mediums she taught. She was an active member of the Salem United Church in Salem, South Dakota. In retirement she discovered a love for quilting and family and friends were the happy recipients of her many projects. In addition to her arts and crafts projects and quilting Brenda enjoyed sewing, cake decorating, and making greeting cards. In 2020, Brenda moved to Durham, North Carolina.

Brenda is survived by her siblings, Glenn (Colleen) Moerke, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota; Penny Jaskulke, Durham, North Carolina, and Jerri (Greg) Hiniker, Hanover, Minnesota; nieces and nephew Megan Moerke, Molly (Ryan) Welch, Taylor Jaskulke, and Taryn Jaskulke; great niece and nephews Ellie, Jack, and Griffin Welch; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents Lawrence and Tillie Moerke; and nephew Tyler Jaskulke.

At a later date a Celebration of Life will be held at Dingmann's Funeral Home in Adrian, Minnesota and burial at Sunset Rest Cemetery of Rushmore, Minnesota.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to local school Arts programs. Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Adrian, Minnesota.