Vickie Marie O'Brien, aged 63, passed away on June 26, 2023, in her home in Pillager, Minnesota. Born on September 29, 1959, in Gaylord, Minnesota, she was the daughter of George M. Solmonson Jr. and Joanne R. Solmonson. In 1966, her family relocated to Glenwood, Minnesota, where she graduated from Glenwood High School in 1978. She pursued higher education at the College of Saint Benedict, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1982. Vickie dedicated over two decades to the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, serving as a staff nurse, oncology nurse, and administrative specialist. In 2005, she achieved a Master's in Nursing with a Nurse Educator focus from Minnesota State University-Moorhead and subsequently taught at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Wadena and Central Lakes College in Brainerd.
On November 19, 1988, Vickie married Terrence 'Terry' John O'Brien in Glenwood. The couple was blessed with two daughters, Randee and Katya, and resided in Alexandria, with brief periods in Battle Lake and Pillager. Vickie was renowned for her profound love of animals, nurturing a variety of creatures including kittens, ducks, chickens, cows, goats, squirrels, raccoons, rabbits, birds, macaws, wallabies, ring-tailed lemurs, reindeer, bear cubs, and lion cubs. Among her cherished companions were a black-handed spider monkey named Buddy, a Quaker parrot named Balkie, a rescued cat named Bindi, and a chihuahua named Zoey. She was also known for rescuing turtles attempting to cross roads. Her interests extended to reading, writing, photography, light rock and worship music, jigsaw puzzles, solitaire, horseback riding, and travel.
Tragically, Vickie's death was the result of a murder-suicide incident. According to the Cass County Sheriff's Office, her husband, Terrence O'Brien, fatally shot Vickie before taking his own life. Their bodies were discovered during a welfare check at their Sylvan Township residence near Pillager on June 26, 2023. The couple is survived by their daughters, Randee O'Brien and Katya O'Brien Preston; grandson, Bentley Courneya; and Vickie's brothers, Steve Solmonson, Mike Solmonson, and Dean Solmonson, along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Joanne Solmonson. Vickie will be remembered for her deep connections with students and patients, her love for family and friends, her passion for animals, and her enduring legacy of compassion.
