Brenda Diane (Jorgenson) Cripe came bursting into this world on May 20, 1947, as the eldest daughter of Adolph and Violet Jorgenson in the very special town of Powers Lake, North Dakota. She received her angel wings on October 15, 2025. Brenda's journey in this life was one marked with incredible love and strength. At just three months of age, Brenda's physical challenges and ensuing resolve began after contracting encephalitis through a mosquito bite issued during an epidemic in North Dakota at the time. This left the left side of her body disabled, without the full use of her left arm, and gave her a lifetime of physical pain to endure. Brenda never let her physical condition get in the way of a good life. This is due to the incredible love and determination of her parents, who taught her that there was nothing that she couldn't do, she just might have to do it a little differently than others. As the family grew throughout the 1950s, both with her beloved siblings - Stanley, Starla and Monica - and all of her many close Laton cousins, Brenda was always right there in the mix of things, never letting herself be left behind on any of the fun. Growing up, Brenda's greatest desire was to be a mother herself someday, something she wasn't sure would happen due to her condition. As fate would have it, she met a nice, quiet sailor named Jim Cripe in 1971 after being set up on a double date. They married five months later and were married just four days shy of 54 years. Before too long, Jim & Brenda's home was filled with children - Jeffrey first, then Jeremy, then Tiffany. Her dream of being a mother was fulfilled threefold. In addition to rearing her own children, Brenda notably ran a daycare out of the home, taking care of scores of children over the years, many of whom became like family. She never let her physical limitations keep her from doing what needed to be done, and she often found clever ways to do things one-handed, never really missing a beat. And it certainly never stopped her from making the best chocolate chip cookies whenever someone stopped by! Throughout her life Brenda always held fast to her faith in God and embraced her church community at Glad Tidings Assembly of God. She took great pride in the fact that her carpenter dad and brother helped build the church, and she, along with the entire Jorgenson-Oakland clan, was a steady fixture, filling an entire section of church pews each Sunday. This place was her social and spiritual lifeline, and she loved everything about it. Brenda was someone you never forgot once you met her. Of course, many people knew her by her various nicknames - Bobo throughout her whole life & Grandma Bean in the latter parts, and "Pistol" to you North Dakota family. She had a huge spirit - one of love for God and her family, a deep sense of compassion for others, as well as a spirited determination to get others to do what she believed was the right thing. She had an endless desire for connection, one that kept her always wanting more…more visits, more phone calls, and of course, more pictures. As she aged, Brenda's physical condition took a toll on her body. The role of caregiver fell to her husband Jim, who patiently and endlessly cared for her physical needs and her many, many requests to bring her just about anything that popped into her mind at the time. For the last year of Brenda's life, she resided at Bethel Lutheran Home in Selma, where she found incredible joy in the constant care, attention and socialization she received from the amazing staff and residents there. On Monday, October 13, 2025, at 10:19am Brenda peacefully took her last breath, surrounded by family members and listening to her favorite hymns. In heaven she joins her beloved parents Violet & Adolph, her brother Stanley, and youngest sister Monica, as well as countless other family members and friends who preceded her in death, notably her nephew Daniel Jorgenson and dearest friend Chrissy Hellman. Brenda is survived by her husband, Jim Cripe; her children, Jeffrey Cripe (Heather), Jeremy Cripe, and Tiffany Oliveira (Jeff); six grandchildren, Ezekiel, Madison, Brianna, Elijah, Evie and Emmett; her devoted sister, Starla Barton; and countless other cousins, nieces and nephews, and dedicated friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, and so many hearts will be filled with the many memories of her hilarious antics and acts of kindness from over the years. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Glad Tidings Assembly of God, with services starting at 10:30am.