Brenda Kay LaRue

Brenda Kay LaRue of Ponca City passed away Monday, July 14, 2025. She was 78. Graveside service will be 10:00 am, Monday July 21, 2025, at Resthaven Memorial Park, Ponca City, OK. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Brenda was born to Carl Harrison Schafer and Jane Schafer on July 4th, 1947, in Fairfax, Oklahoma. They, along with older sister, Lila Charlyne and younger brother, Carl Brent, moved to Ponca City, where she graduated from Ponca City High School in 1965 and began working for Conoco. She married Guy Robert LaRue, and they moved with Conoco to Arvada, Colorado, where their only child, Kevin LaRue was born. Brenda and Kevin moved back to Ponca City, again with Conoco, in 1988, where she would remain until 2002 when she traveled to work with Conoco/Phillips in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Her eventual retirement after 40 plus years would land her in Owasso, Oklahoma, along with her sister Charlyne Zurick and her husband Mike, and their brother, Brent. The band was back together!

Brenda had many interests and hobbies including taking care of her dear cats, Emma and Winston, feeding the ducks on the pond behind her house, visiting local casinos with family members, laughing along with family and friends while playing trivia, card games and word games, playing Nintendo and computer games, singing, listening to music, playing the piano, working puzzles and following the Denver Broncos, OSU Cowboys, and Oklahoma Sooners. She talked often of her Conoco colleagues and the great stories they had in the office and during work travels, as well as her many Ponca and Owasso friends and the fun times they shared. Brenda sang with Sweet Adelines during her young adult years in Ponca City and continued performing with the Denver Sweet Adelines chapter while she lived in Colorado. Her love for singing and connection with God continued with Woodlands Christian Church when she moved back to Ponca City. She could often be heard playing the piano, listening to music, and singing at home, as well.

Brenda's family and friends will tell you her greatest interest, above all, was them, ALL of them- her family and friends. She kept close tabs on everyone she knew and wanted to make sure everyone close to her was "okay" before she ever thought about herself. Brenda cared deeply for all who knew her and would go to great lengths to show support, even when resiliently battling health or other issues of her own. Selfless, caring, dedicated, supportive, persistent, resilient, independent, strong, courageous, and loving are the qualities Brenda showed to all who knew her, and even those who didn't.

She is survived by: Her Son; Kevin LaRue and wife Hallie Grandson; Kallon LaRue Sister; Lila ZurickNumerous Nieces and Nephews who she loved dearly She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Jane Schafer, brother, Carl Schafer, and her dear brother in law, Michael Zurick.