Carmen Burnette, age 54, of Waubun, MN, died Tuesday, August 25, 2015, at Sanford Health, Fargo, ND, surrounded by her family and friends.

Carmen Renee Brown was born December 2, 1960, in Cass Lake, MN, to Francis "Bill" and Bernadette (Sweeney) Brown. She grew up in Cass Lake, MN until 4th grade when the family moved to Hoffman, MN. Later they moved to the Naytahwaush, MN area where Carmen finished her high school education. As a young woman, Carmen worked at Pinehurst Resort where she met the love of her life, James Brunette. She also worked at a chicken farm briefly and attended chef training in Detroit Lakes, MN. On August 16, 1983, Carmen was united in marriage to James Brunette. The couple made their home east of Waubun, MN, where they raised their family. Carmen proudly earned a degree in Early Childhood and worked at the White Earth Head Start Program. Over the years, she taught many children, including several of her own. She also worked at Mahnomen Heath Center for awhile and provided daycare for area families.

Carmen was a hard worker, a devoted wife and a wonderful grandma to her grandkids. She was generous, kind, giving and had an innocent quality about her. Carmen was always willing to help those in need and loved to help clean houses. Following James' death in 2014, Carmen tried to keep busy and often helped drive people to appointments. She enjoyed putting puzzles together, watching TV, and playing games with her family, especially "121" and "Skipo." Carmen's family was her pride and joy. She cherished each of her precious grandchildren and had an especially close bond with Arecio and Anton. She will be greatly missed by all of them.

Carmen is survived by her children: Sasha (Todd Boe), James Jr. (Amanda Alger), Simon, George (Beth Hill), Shari (Kevin Durant Sr.), Effie (Eugene Carpenter Sr.), all of Naytahwaush; her step-children: Jamie Sargent and Melanie Sargent; her adopted daughter, Amanda Alger; 21 grandchildren; her mother, Bernadette Brown; eight siblings; Marshall, Voncille, Kevin, Francis, Mike, Quincy, Joel, and Laurie; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Bill Brown; her husband, James Brunette; sister-in-law, Cheryl "Boom" Brown; one grandson, Wayne "Baby" Richter; nephews: Kevin Jr., Robbie, and Frank; a niece, Michelle "Shep" and many extended family members.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at the Church of Naytahwaush, in Naytahwaush, MN. Visitation will begin at 5:00 pm on Monday at the Church and continue until the funeral service. Interment will take place at St. Anne's Catholic Cemetery in Naytahwaush.