Brandye Ranum

Funeral services for Brandye Ranum, 48, of Baker will 11:00 am Friday, July 22, 2022 at Stevenson Funeral Home with Pastor Jim Biswell officiating. 

Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 pm Thursday, July 21, 2022 at Stevenson Funeral Home with prayer service taking place at 7:00 pm. 

Our beloved Brandye Ranum left this earth with a heart full of Love and Happiness on July 15, 2022. You do not have to ask how does one start to put into words the life of the most amazing Wife, Mother, and Best Friend. You just have to start telling her story the one of Kindness, Determination, and Motivation.

Brandye was born on August 14, 1973, in Lewiston, ID to Vernon and Phillis (Miller) Benjamin. She grew up in Idaho and while in high school she met Shawn, her soul mate, best friend, and love of her life. When Shawn’s family decided to move back to Baker, Brandye packed up and went with them to be with Shawn. She graduated from Baker High School.  After growing up in the city, Brandye loved the ranch life. Her love of all animals, no matter the kind. Even snakes, moths, lady bugs, mice, or any other critter she came across, she would save it from its demise. She was so proud of all of the animals she raised, her miniature donkeys, sheep and all the mama cows and their babies. They all had names Phil, CJ, Cash, Olivia, Buck, Houdini, Cecelia and the list goes on.  All of her kids/dogs: Cole, Joze, Badger, Beau, Lycan, Jet, Gracie and a couple she just loved Blue and Ace.

Brandye and Shawn married on June 13, 1991. During their early marriage years they did over the road trucking together and got to see many different places. When they decided to settle in Baker she set her eyes on having a video and coffee shop which satisfied her love of movies and coffee and she really enjoyed visiting with people when they came in. In 1995 Brandye and Shawn started R&R Welding and have continued to operate it successfully.  Brandye also eventually started working in the oilfield as a lease operator. Over the years from her experiences, strong work ethic and her self-taught master computer skills, she moved into roles as a planner, scheduler cost analyst, logistics specialist, SAP master data and most recently the EAM Manager at Denbury Resources. 

Brandye’s greatest accomplishment was her son. After the loss of their first son, they welcomed Tuf Zander and he became the center of their lives. Other than R&R Welding, Brandye took time from work to raise Tuf until he started school. She treasured the time she got to spend with him. Her favorite and most cherished times were when she was doing anything with Tuf. Whether it was a preschool tumbling class, playing games, riding four wheelers, or even Halloween. Brandye and Shawn lived in Baker for years and then moved to Dickinson, ND for a short time from 2014 to 2018. While in North Dakota, Brandye coached Tuf’s soccer team and at the end of the year she was awarded the Soccer Coach of the year for the entire state of North Dakota. They then returned to Baker to raise Tuf and be with family.  

Taking care of herself was also a priority and she found peace and a sense of accomplishment in her running. She loved participating in half marathons 5K’s, 10K’S, and many other Fun Run’s. She enjoyed them even more when she could get her son Tuf or some of her friends to participate. 

Brandye had a kind, loving, and giving soul for all people. She held her friends close and shared her love of life with them. She would never turn down an invite and loved to have a good time. She made herself available for anyone and would volunteer to help any friend out, constantly giving herself. Brandye loved babies and if there was one around, you could count on it being in her arms. To so many of her friends she was considered their rock, their Inspiration.

The beautiful hunger for life that Brandye had was true and inspiring to everyone who knew her. After visiting with her for few minutes you would feel like you could tell her anything and go on to change the world. In her son’s words she was loving, caring, guiding, and his everything. She showered you with her kindness and motivated you to be better. Her laugh was truly infectious and her love everlasting. She loved life and lived every second of life to the fullest. The memories, kindness, love, inspiration and motivation she gave to all of us will live on within us forever.

Brandye’s fun loving and giving spirit will be missed by her husband, Shawn; son, Tuf Zander, kid/dog, Vern; mother-in-law, Deb Ranum; special niece, Nicole McKnight; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, and all her special friends.

Preceding was her son, Tuf Cole Ranum; parents, Vernon and Phillis (Miller) Benjamin; father-in-law, Dave Ranum.