Avis Brateng O'Leary

Avis Brateng O’Leary, age 84, of Columbia, SC passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 surrounded by family and friends after a long illness. She was born on December 6, 1936 in Forest River, North Dakota, the daughter of the late Bert and Eva (Durhiem) Brateng. The youngest of nine children, she attended and graduated from Grafton High School in 1955. She was the head majorette of the school’s marching band and traveled to Pasadena, California to march in the Rose Bowl Tournament of Roses Parade January 1955. She moved to Washington, DC in 1956 and worked on Capitol Hill in the United States Senate for over 25 years, serving in her last position as Special Assistant to United States Senator Henry M. Jackson, Chairman, US Senate Committee on Energy and National Resources, Washington, DC from 1976-1981. In 1973, she married Timothy William O’Leary at Christ Lutheran Church of Bethesda, Maryland. She retired from the US Senate in 1981 and moved to Pinehurst, NC, where her husband developed and built the Lawn and Tennis Club of North Carolina. They moved to Columbia, SC in 1985. As Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Avis along with her husband developed many residential communities in Columbia including Arcadia Cove condominiums and Regenesis Retirement Community. She was also a Realtor with Russell and Jeffcoat of Columbia.

Avis was an active member of Saint David’s Episcopal Church. She loved to play tennis as she was a member of the Lawn and Tennis Club of North Carolina, Wildwood and Woodcreek Country Clubs, Columbia, S.C. as well as a member of Congressional Country Club in Washington, DC. She was involved in the Symphony League of Columbia, Wildwood Women’s Club, Wildwood Garden Club, and volunteered at Richland County Adult Reading Program as a tutor. She was a lifelong learner, studying Business Management at George Washington University and she received an Associate of Arts Degree at Sandhills College in Southern Pines, North Carolina. She loved to travel the world and one of the highlights was a trip to Norway and Scandinavia to visit where her ancestors were from. She took dance lessons and practiced yoga every day until she fell ill.

Avis will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her sister Phyllis Brateng Gjersvold, of Dallas, Oregon and her brother Darell Brateng of Napa, California, stepson, Timothy Dennis O’Leary, step-granddaughter, Brianne Sheetz, and step-grandson Dakota Sheetz, and beloved niece, Darby Gjersvold Gingery, who she loved as the daughter she never had; as well as many other nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband Tim, her parents, step-daughter Linda O’Leary Sheetz, sisters Bernice French, Beatrice Johnson, Delores Johnson, Marion Ravers and brothers Howard and Joel Brateng.

Avis will be buried alongside her mother at Fircrest Cemetery in Monmouth, Oregon. Due to COVID-19 restrictions at this time, a memorial service and celebration of life will be held in 2021 in Dallas, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the American Heart Association, Epworth Children’s Home in Columbia, SC or to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral of Columbia, SC.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.