Obituary of Andrea Christine Brynstad

Andrea Christine Brynstad

Andrea was born on January 18, 1967 in Seoul, South Korea, and came to the United States in 1970 as an Amerasian orphan. She grew up in Crystal, Minnesota, and spent her childhood swimming competitively, playing the piano, drawing, and making friends. Andrea was creative, bright, and resourceful and had a loving and generous spirit. She befriended all animals, doted on her cats, loved taking people out to eat and buying them gifts, and was known as “the candy lady” in her apartment complex because she doled out treats for the residents every week. Andrea was also a devoted partner and caretaker to her longtime companion, John Longman, who passed away in 2019 after a protracted illness.

Andrea dealt with mental health challenges throughout her adult life, and her family is grateful to Vail Place and her life partner John for supporting her for more than 30 years. She left us unexpectedly on April 29, 2021, seven months after her younger sister and childhood best friend, Stephanie, passed away. There’s an old Korean proverb: “At the end of hardship comes happiness.” Andrea is now at peace and eternally in the arms of John, Stephanie, Grandma Gladys, and her creator.

Andrea is survived by her father Dennis Brynstad (Sharon, her son Michael), mother Gretchen Valdez (Carl), sisters Liz Stock (Mike), Barb, stepsisters Nissa Valdez (Alex Smith, sons Victor and Isidor), Cara Valdez (sons Ryan and Nicholas), nephews and nieces Josh, Jacob and Rachel Stock, Brynn DeVaan, and other relatives and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 14, at Church of the Incarnation, 3801 Pleasant Ave, Minneapolis, followed by interment at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in South Minneapolis. In remembrance of Andrea’s life, we ask that any charitable donations be made to Vail Place.