Brenda L. Tanner (nee Flanagan), age 56, of Ottawa formerly of Manhattan, passed away peacefully on her beloved husband's birthday, Sunday, January 29, 2017 surrounded by family. She is survived by her children; Jennifer (Andrew) Linton-Glenn, Robert (Brandy McGuire) Tanner, Christopher Tanner, Ricky (Heather) Tanner, and Stephanie (Rich) Tanner-Crowl, her grandchildren, Mychael, Chloe, Julien, and Brendan Linton, Angelina Glenn, Bayley Gaughan, Josh, Lily, Sara, Emma, Grace, Hayley, Bayley, and Clayton Tanner, her sisters, Wanda Flanagan and Robin (David Sr.) Nelson, her brother, Johnny Flanagan, and numerous, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Preceded in death by her parents, John and Mildred (nee Riley) Flanagan, her husband of over 32 years, Ricky G. Tanner, her infant son, Thomas John, and two nephews, John Flanagan and David Nelson. Brenda grew up in Manhattan and attended Providence and Lincoln-Way High School class of 1979. She married the love of her life Ricky that same year on December 20, 1979. She worked for Stepping Stones as a counselor for over 17 years and loved Nascar, especially the Intimidator. Brenda was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother who will be greatly missed. Visitation for Brenda will be Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St. (Rt. 52), Manhattan, IL from 4-8:00p.m. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 2, 2017 from the funeral home to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 235 West North Street, Manhattan, for 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery, Manhattan.