Brenda Marie O’Connor, age 53, of Brainerd, died on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at her home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd. A visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. Interment is at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, also in Brainerd.

Brenda was truly a force of nature, with a big personality, a wonderful sense of humor, and a stubborn streak that made her all the more memorable. Born the youngest of ten children, Brenda was dearly loved by her family and happily embraced her role as the baby, especially when it meant being spoiled. She had a creative spirit and loved to sing, dance, and spend time on arts and crafts. She was talented in many ways, particularly drawing, knitting, and crocheting. Brenda was also an active participant in Special Olympics for many years, enjoying the opportunity to compete in a variety of sports. Brenda had a way of making people laugh, often when they least expected it, and was never afraid to speak her mind. She was especially remarkable in times of crisis, when she seemed to thrive and rise to the occasion. Brenda lived life on her own terms and brought plenty of laughter, love, and personality to the lives of those who knew her.

She is survived by eight siblings, Tim, Brian (Meledy), Jeff, Rick, Pete, and Bonnie O’Connor, Erin (John) Buscher and Jackie (Dave) Hughes; and many nieces, nephews and other family members and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Esther and John O’Connor; sister, Barb (Greg) Johnson; and sister-in-law, Rose.