Evelyn Brenner came to Oroville in 1988. She went on to
work as a firefighter in Brush Creek the following year and attended
the first wildland training academy in 1990.
On Tuesday, she was remembered by her friends and colleagues of the
fire service. A memorial service took place at the Ramsey
Funeral Home on Robinson Street for Brenner, 43, of Oroville, who
died after being shot on October 1 near Sixth Street and Grand
Avenue.
Evelyn Janette Brenner was born in 1963, in Orange, California to
Everett Clayton and Barbara Patterson. She grew up in Huntington
Beach and loved being outdoors. Brenner had six siblings and was
devoted to her three sons.
From 1990 to 1994, she worked on numerous community events, such as
Feather Fiesta Days, take-a-kid fishing days, Smokey Bear school
programs, and other fire prevention programs. In 1995, she moved
back to Engine 33 as an assistant fire engine operator.
In 2000, she moved to the position as District Dispatcher where she
was the happiest, according to her co-workers. "Her number one
priority was to take care of the firefighters from red cards to
timesheets; taking water samples for out stations to off-forest
travel details. Evelyn also made sure everybody was in before going
home. She made sure things were taken care of. Her voice at
the Feather River Nation will be missed," her fellow firefighters
said. Brenner served as a firefighter for the Plumas National Forest
for 17 years.
Butte County Sheriff's detectives have arrested David E. Brenner,
60, as the suspect in the homicide. He has been arraigned on charges
of first degree murder using a firearm and is expected to enter a
plea in court on Oct. 17, according to the District Attorney's
Office.OriginalAb Note: I knew Evelyn from her first year
as a crewmember on the Brush Creek engine. After she became
the Oroville District Dispatcher, I worked closely, at least over
the telephones and radios, with her for several years. After
admiring her dispatching skills and dedication to her job, I invited
her to the Plumas NF ECC to help us out one busy Summer where she
did exceptionally well. She enjoyed the faster pace, rapidly
learned the new duties, and perhaps most importantly, quickly gained
the respect of and made friends with all the other dispatchers.
She became a frequent and highly appreciated worker in the ECC there
after. Her friendly voice and smiling face will be sorely
missed. OA |
