Brenda S. Rodarmel-Olsen, was born in Hanford, California on September 11, 1963 and passed peacefully with her loving husband, Scott Olsen by her side in Concordia, Kansas on February 2, 2024.
She attended Mary Immaculate Queen School, Lemoore High School and West Hill College in Lemoore, California. Brenda worked at Sprouse–Reitz through high school. After high school, she began working at Del Monte Foods, then later at Cargill Animal Nutrition in Hanford. Brenda loved working for Empire Equipment, a John Deere dealer, where she learned the uses of the different equipment, met farmers and contractors, and listened to their stories. Starting when Brenda was in high school, her biggest joy was being a Coach for Special Olympics, these athletes were her kids. In later years, though her health got in the way of her coaching, she never lost her desire to support Special Olympic athletes.
She had a loving soul that wanted everyone to be happy and get along. Brenda would pass a stranger on the street and pay them random compliments such as: “I love your jacket!” She adored her family, and after losing her sister, she took on the empty spot Patty left with her daughter Heather.
Life moved Brenda to Clyde, Kansas where she met her true love and spent the happiest six years of her life with her husband, Scott. She often said “Wow, now I know what it is like to be treated like a lady.” Brenda loved Kansas; she enjoyed helping Scott with his cow-calf operation. While helping with the day-to-day on the farm with Scott, she developed a preference for the red Angus breed above all others. Brenda often said she wished she had her horse Breezie with her in Kansas.
Brenda was preceded in death by her parents Ray & Mary Rodarmel, her sister Patty Costner, brother-in-law Steve Coelho and her grandparents. Survived by her husband Scott, her brothers Willard (Barbara), Mike (Sharon), sisters Margaret Coelho, Linda Schrack (Jim), nephews & nieces James Rodarmel, Paul Rodarmel, Stevie Coelho, Nichole Wagner, Jamie Roberts, Jerry Costner, Josh Costner, Heather Muela, Laura Rodarmel (her God daughter), Lisa Rodarmel, nineteen greats & five great-great nephews & nieces.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Lemoore, California.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in honor of Brenda to: Special Olympics Northern California, 3480 Buskirk Ave, # 340, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523.