Laura A. (Halling) O'Brien

Laura O’Brien passed away peacefully on November 8th, 2024, at GracePointe Crossings in Cambridge, MN, just shy of her 88th birthday. Laura was born on November 11th, 1936, to Theodore and Katherine (Armbrust) Halling in Spencer Brook Township. She married LeRoy O’Brien on June 29th,1955, making their home in Minneapolis and then Harris, MN. The couple had four children, before LeRoy’s death in May 1962. The family then moved to Cambridge, MN. Laura married James O’Brien on June 10th, 1967, and the couple had one child. James passed away of colon cancer in 1972.

Laura raised her five children, as a single parent, in their home, west of Cambridge.  She worked for State of Minnesota at the Regional Center in Cambridge in Food Service, eventually becoming the baker. She retired in 1999 and moved into Cambridge in 2000.  In 2019, she moved to GracePointe Crossing.

Throughout her life, Laura enjoyed sewing, quilting, and crocheting. She loved gardening, having a large vegetable garden for many years. She had a love of art, taking numerous drawing and painting courses throughout the years. She enjoyed education and reading, taking many college courses and Anoka Ramsey Community College. At any one time, she was in the middle of two or three books. She also had a great love of Country music and Elvis Presley.

Laura’s greatest loves were her family, friends, and pets. She was a loving parent, grandparent, and great-grandparent. She enjoyed spending time with her family, talking, hosting holidays, traveling, and attending events. She was a kind and gentle woman but also strong and independent.

Laura is survived by her children; Paul (Angela) O’Brien, Cassondra O’Brien, Dale (Dayette) O’Brien, Terry (Lee Hogle) O’Brien; Son-in-law, Kevin Mitchell; grand-children Darrick (Ellen) O’Brien, Krissy O’Brien, Katie (Christian Meade) O’Brien, Daniel (Adrianne) O’Brien, Lauren Mitchell and Claire Mitchell; great-grandchildren, Grady, Colin and Wylder O’Brien; family friend, Chris Mrozek; and many cherished in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Sheila Mitchell; grandson, Tonia Davidson; husbands, LeRoy O’Brien and James O’Brien; sisters and brothers-in-law, Marie (Arnold) Englund, Sigrid (Harry) Christofferson, and Evelyn (Jasper) Olene.

Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, December 8th, at Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.  Interment will be at Christ the King Catholic Cemetery, immediately following the service, with lunch to follow at Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home.

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