Timothy “Tim” Joseph O’Brien 71, proud father, grandparent, husband, lifelong cattleman, skilled welder, chef, and an overall friendly guy passed away April 24, 2023 at his home in Belfield. Tim’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Monday, May 1, 2023 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Belfield with Fr. Shane Campbell as celebrant. Inurnment will take place at St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Belfield. Visitation will be on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Belfield with a rosary and vigil at 4 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the mass at the church.
Tim was born in Dickinson on July 30, 1951. He was the 6th of 12 children born to Donald and Rose O’Brien. He was raised on the family ranch north of Belfield near Grassy Butte. Tim attended grade school near the O’Brien Ranch at the Tester Country School. He went to high school in Killdeer while living and working on his Aunt Pauline and Uncle Leonard Kostelnak’s Registered Hereford Ranch.
Tim left school his sophomore year to help his family tend the ranch while his father recovered from surgery. He continued to work for several farmers and ranchers until joining O’Brien Builders with Bill and Dennis.
On December 21, 1973, Tim married Karen Kessel at St. Bernard’s Church in Belfield. Together they raised three beautiful children Chris, Ryan, and Melinda. Through the years, they became the unofficial parents and grandparents to many children, loving them as their own.
Tim joined his brother John in 1974 to work for Koch Oil in the maintenance department. Koch saw his potential. He was sent to train under master welders in Kansas to advance his skills. In 1975, Tim was given the opportunity to buy a herd of Registered Herefords in Bucyrus, ND. He quickly packed up his family to pursue his lifelong dream of owning cattle and operating a ranch. He went to work at American Collide Company in Gascoyne, ND to supplement his ranching income. While employed at American Collide, Tim quickly advanced to maintenance foreman in charge of all welding repair and maintenance. In 1979 during the oil boom while working at Emmett Machine and Welding in Hettinger, friends and family convinced Tim to start his own business. O’Brien Welding opened its doors to the world that August. Tim and Karen moved back to Belfield after Melinda was born in October of the same year. His skills and expertise became well known throughout the tri-state area. He became known as the guy who could fix just about anything. If he couldn’t fix it, he would redesign or invent something new. There was nothing too great or small that he was afraid to take on; from welding in the oilfield, building steel buildings or fixing equipment. He could “get ‘er done”. Because of his skills, talent, and well-known reputation he was called on by people from all over the world. This led to an opportunity to weld for race car driver, Mario Andretti and his team. His work for the team was followed by an invitation to join the pit crew at the Indy 500. Being the humble guy that he was, he declined.
In 2012, Tim retired from his welding business to fulfill and design his dream cattle operation north of Belfield as it is today. Cooking was another of Tim’s passions. Tim and Karen bought the cookshack during retirement to share their love of cooking. It soon became a thriving catering business. Gathering with friends and family to socialize, party, play cards, and tell tall tales brought him much joy and laughter throughout the years.
Tim was a mentor to many. His heart and home were always open. Tim could strike up a conversation and become an instant friend. He never met a stranger. Tim was always willing to lend a hand to someone in need; to assist during a difficult time or to be a friendly neighbor. Tim’s family meant so much to him. He enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren life skills as well as how to work and play hard to keep the O’Brien Irish shenanigans alive.
Tim is survived by his wife Karen and his three children: son Ryan O’Brien, Belfield, daughters Chris O’Brien, Hong Kong and Melinda (Kevin) Clark, Santa Rosa, CA; grandsons: Adrian O’Brien, Zacharia Hmaidat, Caden O’Brien, Jake O’Brien, Luke O’Brien, Oliver Clark, Arlo Clark; brothers: Dennis (Arlinda) O’Brien, John O’Brien, Darby (Nita) O’Brien, Donovan O’Brien, Jeff (Crystal) O’Brien, Aaron (Dream) O’Brien; sisters: Denise (Bob) Person, Barb (Ronnie) Boltz, Mony (Rod) Wolf, Mary Rabenberg; in laws: Niki (Ron) Michaels, Doug Kessel, Bruce Kessel, Colleen Lenz, Connie (Syd) Forster, Sheldon (Laura) Kessel and numerous nieces and nephews.
Tim is preceded in death by his parents Don and Rose O’Brien; parents-in-law Nick and Goldie Kessel; sister Sharon Hawkinson, brother Bill O’Brien; brothers-in-law Roger Boltz, Aaron Hawkinson, Jim Rabenburg: sister-in law: Lana O’Brien; great niece Isabel O’Brien as well as other extended family, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
