Brien Mackenzie Brenner passed away unexpectedly from natural causes on April 5th, 2025, in Manhattan, KS. At 28 years old, Brien left us suddenly and far too soon, leaving his family and friends feeling unimaginable pain and loss. Brien was a loving husband, soon-to-be father, and a cherished son and brother. He left a lasting impact on all who knew him, making any moment spent with him unforgettable. He was truly one of a kind. If Brien’s life were measured only in time, it would be too short, but when measured in memorable moments, laughter, and love, the magnitude of his life is immeasurable.
Brien was the beloved son of Mark Brenner and Jenni Shost. His grandparents, Redgy Nail, Tena Brenner, and Verland Brenner preceded him in death. He is survived by his grandmother, Amy Nail; his parents, Mark Brenner and Jenni Shost and her husband, Andrew Shost; his siblings, Blake, Bradlee, and Baileigh Brenner; a host of extended family and in-laws; and his beloved wife, Chesalai Brenner, and unborn child, Beatrice Mackenzie Brenner (expected August of 2025). Each family member carries a piece of Brien’s heart and many memories that will forever resonate within them.
Brien was born and raised in Manhattan, KS. He always loved Manhattan, and it was truly his home. This was largely due to his memorable childhood. Whether it was sneaking down to play late-night video games with his brother Blake, riding bikes around town with Baileigh and Bradlee, sledding close to home, or swimming in the pool, Brien had many fond memories of fun times. He has always loved Christmas and all the family traditions, like watching “A Christmas Story” and looking at the multicolored angel Christmas tree topper.
Brien met the love of his life, Chesalai, at church when she and her family moved to Manhattan, KS, in 2014. They quickly developed feelings for one another, and in 2017, Chesalai decided she was tired of waiting on him and finally decided to say, “So, are we doing this or what?” From there, they started dating and soon fell in love and knew they wanted to spend their lives together. On January 8th, 2020, Brien and Chesalai were married in a beautiful oceanside ceremony in St. Petersburg, Florida. Brien was a devoted husband, always caring for Chesalai in any way she needed and working hard to support their future family and life together. It was so important to him that she was cared for and happy. Their five years of marriage were filled with love, laughter, friendship, and an unbreakable bond. They were a testament to the beauty of a committed and dedicated marriage, always seeking to love and understand each other better. Brien and Chesalai found out they were expecting in November 2024, and Brien could not have been more excited to be a father. Ever since Brien was a little boy, he wanted to be a dad.
Brien’s intelligence and talent shined throughout his academic and professional career. Brien graduated from Manhattan High School in 2015 and continued his education at MATC and JCCC before enrolling at Kansas State University, where he pursued a Bachelor’s in Secondary Education. His passion for teaching and working with children was evident during his time as a student teacher at Clay Center High School. His students loved him dearly. Brien’s mother recognized his heart for children at an early age and this heart influenced him throughout his life.
Brien was also employed at Success Vision, where he eagerly anticipated a promotion to general manager, a testament to his hard work, skill, and perseverance. Most importantly Brien was excited by the opportunity to provide for his growing young family.
Brien was a faithful Manhattan First Assembly of God church member since childhood. At the age of 19, his faith became his own when he decided to give up the things holding him back in favor of a life lived as a true representation of God’s love and sacrifice; someone he felt would be worthy of his future wife. In recent years, he was an indispensable volunteer in Manhattan First Kids preschool classes, and his boundless energy and hilarity made him a favorite of many of the kids. His faith was a guiding light in his life and was visible in his selfless service to others.
A funeral service will be held in Brien’s honor on April 14th, 2025, at 10:30 am at the Manhattan First Aseembly of God, 2310 Candlewood in Manhattan. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Brien’s life, share stories, and support one another in this time of grief.
In place of flowers, please consider donating to support Chesalai and her future baby. Contributions can be made through GoFundMe, by check, or by cash to assist her during this challenging time.
Though Brien’s time on this earth was far too short, his impact was immense. His favorite thing of all was to make the people around him laugh, especially his family. He would work overtime to bring comedic gold. He brought joy to countless lives, and his memory will forever remain a source of joy. We will carry his legacy in our hearts as we navigate the days ahead without him.