Brenda O'Connor, age 74 of New Leipzig, passed away on Friday evening January 11, 2019 at the Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin, ND. Per Brenda's wishes, cremation has taken place, and no public services are scheduled.

BRENDA RUTH DEVINEY was born on July 29, 1944 in Tom, OK to Carl Jack and Mamie Ruth (Sehon) Deviney.  Growing up, her family followed the oilfields, so she was able to experience a lot of the countryside as a child.

Brenda's first child, Erin, was born in 1960 in Cortex, CO.  Her next child, Mauri, came along not long after that in 1963.  Mauri was born in Idabel, OK.  Her son, Weston, was born in 1973 in Baker, MT.

Throughout Brenda's youth and adulthood, she had a variety of careers, including working as a flag women for road construction, running a trap line for furs, a switchboard operator for the Baker Hotel, a tax preparer, was the owner/operator of Baker Answering Service, which ran dispatch for the Baker Fire and Ambulance Squads, the Police and Sheriff's Departments, the Highway Patrol, and all the local oilfields companies.  Brenda even owned race horses.

The Christmas of 1986, Brenda married Mike O'Connor and embarked on her happily ever after with her best friend.

After Brenda's children were grown, she decided it was time to take her own education into her hands, and returned to school. Brenda graduated from Miles Community College in 1992 with her degree as a Register Nurse.  Brenda wholeheartedly pursued her nursing career, and found joy in caring for and being around others.  She loved to hear people's stories, and to share her own, while looking after her patients and their families.  Brenda's career led her and Mike to various locations in Montana, but they always made sure to have their grandchildren come and visit whenever possible.  In 2007 Brenda and Mike retired to New Leipzig, ND.

Brenda enjoyed writing poetry, making clothing, playing pinochle and poker, and visiting family.  She insisted on feeding anyone who stepped foot through her door, and would do her best to learn their life story over a glass of sweet tea.

Brenda is survived by her mother, Ruth Deviney, her husband, Mike O'Connor, her sister Carolyn (Jack) Hadley, her brother Jack (Vivika) Deviney, her sister Sherrie (Edward) Trevino, her children Erin (Brett) Stanhope, Mauri Dent, Weston (Tyesha) Dent, Jim (Sheryl) O'Connor, Donna O'Connor, Jasi (Chad) Mohagen, along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father C.J. Deviney, and her niece Erika Deviney.