Ana Isabel Vargas Brenden, 87, of Scobey, Montana, passed away on August 21, 2026, surrounded by her family.

She was born in San José, Costa Rica in 1939. Twenty years later, Ana was an accountant at a tourist company when a chance encounter changed the course of her life. Tom Brenden of Scobey, Montana, spotted Ana through a window at her work. She was wearing yellow, he gave her a wink, and she waved and smiled back. This sparked a long-distance courtship and the beginning of a lifelong relationship in which love overcame the language barrier.

Ana came to Scobey and learned English with the help of special friends and relatives during her first few years in America. She and Thomas Allen Brenden Jr. were married on November 15, 1959, on a stormy day at Scobey Lutheran Church.

Ana was a quick learner, an exceptionally hard worker and a woman who embraced her new home and family. She quickly learned the ways of her Norwegian-influenced family and built a full and busy life alongside Tom. During their 51 years of marriage, they owned and operated a farm, a cow-calf operation and feedlot.

Ana’s family was the most important part of her life. She and Tom had three daughters, Connie, Mary and Tammy, whom they raised on the family farm south of Madoc, next to Tom’s parents, Thomas Sr. and Agnes Brenden. Before Mary was born, Ana’s mother, Marta Vargas, came from Costa Rica to help Ana with her young and growing family.

Over the years, Ana became deeply involved in the Scobey community. She worked at Rasmus Nelson, MKL Fashions, and Service Drug and was a member of Scobey Lutheran Church, WIFE (Women Involved in Farm Economics), Woman’s Club, the Daniels County Republican Party, and the Hospital Auxiliary. She also served on the boards of Daniels Memorial Hospital and the Montana Historical Society. Well into her later years, Ana played dominoes and bingo and continued to enjoy fitness classes at the Body Building.

Ana remained a vibrant, active, and fiercely independent woman until a tragic fall left her with injuries from which she was unable to recover. Her strength, warmth, generosity and devotion to her family and community will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Ana is survived by her daughters, Connie of Kirkland, Washington, Mary of Billings, Montana, and Tammy (Charlie) of Scobey, Montana; her granddaughters, Ashley, Elizabeth, Melinda (Wil), Sara, Annika, Jennifer, and Danielle; her grandson, Heath; and her great-grandson, Griffin.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; mother, Marta; in-laws, Thomas and Agnes; son-in-law, Craig (Mary); as well as many beloved family members in both the United States and Costa Rica and several dear friends.

Ana’s memorial service will be held at Scobey Lutheran Church on Monday, September 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with a reception immediately following. She will be laid to rest at Scobey Cemetery in a private family service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Daniels Memorial Hospital, Scobey Lutheran Church or the Daniels County Library.

Cremation arrangements are under the care of Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary in Billings, Montana.