Brenda Ann Rood

Brenda Ann (Heinzel) Rood, 67, of Valley City, ND died on May 28, 2024, at home due to complications from cancer. Brenda was born June 22, 1956, to Clayton and Rosemary Heinzel of Sauk Centre, MN. She treasured her youth with four siblings: Bonnie, Tom, Bruce, and Janet. She graduated from Sauk Centre High School in 1974, then completed her nursing degree at Fergus Falls Community College in 1976. She met Rodney Rood of Kathryn, ND, and they married on November 22, 1975. Together they raised three children: Amanda “Mandy,” DeAnn “DeDe,” and Craig Brenda cared deeply for others and devoted her work life to nursing. In high school, she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at St. Michael’s Hospital in Sauk Centre, MN. After graduating from nursing school, she worked at Long Prairie Care Center in Long Prairie, MN; Breckenridge Hospital in Breckenridge, MN; and Good Samaritan nursing home in Pipestone, MN. In 1978, Rodney and Brenda moved to Kathryn, ND, where Rodney worked at Kathryn Farmers Mutual Elevator Co. and then began farming. In 1986, they moved to Valley City. Brenda worked nights at the Sheyenne Care Center, where she served for 21 years as the second-floor charge nurse. She retired in 2004. Our mom was a creature of habit, most at peace when at home. She watched Days of Our Lives for as long as we can remember, and we knew never to call between 12 and 1. While she was normally as patient as a saint, if something needed to be done, she would do it with quick competence. She would insist on washing our dishes (always by hand), sometimes before we were even finished eating. She found joy outdoors keeping the grass just right and tending to her beautiful backyard garden. Though she was usually calm and quiet, her neighbors could likely hear her cheer on the Minnesota Vikings year after year. Our mom was caring, sweet, loving. She was our family’s peacekeeper. And she was our lifelong advocate who was willing to do anything in her power to help make each of us happy. We cannot imagine a better mom. If you asked her what brought her pride and joy, she would not tell you that she was an inventor with two patents to her name— one for a spacer to reduce the size of jewelry rings and the other for an adjustable grill scraper that made its way to stores in the 90s. Instead, she would talk about family. In addition to her 48 years of marriage and her three kids, she would tell you about her two grandchildren, Jordan Hejtmanek and Taylor Hejtmanek, and her four great-granddaughters, Aubree Hejtmanek, Adalynn Hejtmanek, Annyia “Rosie” Hejtmanek, and Brylie Sherman. Mom helped care for all four of her great-granddaughters, and she served as a primary caregiver for Aubree and Rosie while their mom (Jordan) and grandma (Dede) worked. All of the great grandkids loved going to her house and spending time with her. She loved each of them fiercely and unconditionally. Although Mom and Dad wintered in Arizona for a decade, they sold their place in 2022 because Mom decided that being away from her great-granddaughters was more unbearable than the North Dakota winters. She loved her family deeply, and her family loved and will continue to love her. She lives on in the memories and hearts of those who knew her, especially her siblings, Bonnie Krueger (Jake Sorensen), Tom Heinzel (Debbie Heinzel), Bruce Heinzel, and Janet Beckwith (Duane Beckwith); her children, Dede Hejtmanek and Craig Rood (Laura Brown); her two grandchildren and four great-granddaughters; and her husband, Rodney Rood. Brenda was preceded in death by her parents, Clayton and Rosemary Heinzel; her sister-in-law, Michelle Heinzel; her best friend for over 37 years, Charlotte McKay; and her daughter, Amanda. The family expresses deep gratitude to Hospice of the Red River Valley. A joint memorial service will be held for Brenda Rood and Amanda Rood at Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Valley City.

Brenda Ann Rood

June 22, 1956 - May 28, 2024