Brynn Renee Nelson was born to Brendan and Jacki Nelson on May 9, 2007. The best birthday present her dad has ever received.

From the start, she lit up everyone's world with those big bright blue eyes. She didn't talk much from the start because her big brother Kadin did it for her. But then she started and never stopped.

She was truly the life of the party and always had a way of making everyone around her laugh. Growing up, Brynn quickly became the family baker and cake decorator. She was incredibly talented in nearly everything she did.

She enjoyed gymnastics, softball, basketball, volleyball, archery and track/field. Her archery was a great way to spend time with her dad, brother and coach/friend, Larry, competing in state and national competitions. They also enjoyed hunting and fishing together as a family.

As she got older, she settled into softball and most recently throwing the javelin in high school where she has excelled: winning the Howard Wood Relays her freshman year and the South Dakota State Track Meet her sophomore and junior years. Brynn currently holds the state record.

Brynn was a light. A beacon. A shining star. She not only shone bright herself, she lit that light in everyone around her. She loved fierce and you knew it. She loved all of her friends deeply and wanted nothing but the best for them.

Grateful to have shared her life, but crushed it was only 17 years are her parents, Brendan and Jacki; brother, Kadin; her special dog, Penny; grandparents: Dean and Karen Nelson; Becky McQuistion; Doug and Wanda Pol; great grandma, Reta Nelson; aunts and uncles and beloved cousins; Brittany (Nelson) and Mike Kieffer, Cole, Kane and Kinley; Lynsey (Pol) and Joe Thornell, Jaylyn , Layney and Logan; Kelli (Pol) and Brian Vanderwerff, Blakely, Watson, and Maverick; and a great deal of younger extended cousins who looked up to her and she loved as little siblings.

Brynn is preceded in death by her great grandparents: Gary Nelson; Jerome and Shirley Sether; Ray and Helen McQuistion, Howard and Grace Pol; and cousin, Hudson Vanderwerff.

A Celebration of Brynn's life will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at Calvary Lutheran Church with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m.

Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Rapid City.

Please wear bright colorful clothing in honor of Brynn.