FRANCES BROWN: Obituary

CHESTER Frances Mary Brown, 98, died Saturday, April 15, 2000 at a Chester hospital of natural causes.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Chester United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Chester Cemetery.

Brown was born May 17, 1901 at Detroit, Mich. to Frank Curtis and Harriet Wickum. The family moved to St. Paul, Minn. when she was four and her parents later divorced.

Brown moved to Montana in 1913 with her mother and stepfather, Pat Violett, who operated an elevator at Lothair. Brown completed her education at Lothair and moved to Seattle, Wash., where she worked at Frederick-&-Nelson Department Store.

She married Fred Brown in Seattle on Nov. 16, 1920, and they made their home on the Brown farm south of Tiber. They had a house in Chester, too, while their children were in school. They moved into Chester permanently in 1948 and retired from farming in 1970.

The Browns enjoyed living in Mesa, Ariz. in the winter months. Fred Brown died in 1976 and she continued living in Chester and traveling to Arizona in the winters. She spent 47 consecutive winters in Arizona until her health failed her in 1998.

Brown was a 70-year member of the United Methodist Church, serving in the Ladies' Aide and singing in the church choir. She was a long-time member of the Royal Neighbors of America and played piano at many of its special functions.

She enjoyed traveling and had many hobbies. She enjoyed music, reading, sewing, crocheting, playing cards (especially pinochle). Brown collected dolls, raised flowers, and baked. Her two most favorite things were her family and fresh strawberries.

Brown was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fred Brown, who died in 1976; two sisters, Charlotte Kyle and an infant sister; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and one daughter-in-law.

Survivors include her daughter, Carol Jeppesen of Hamilton; two sons, F. Max Brown and Stephen Brown, both of Chester; 11 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials will be given to the United Methodist Church, Hi-Line Health Foundation or donor's choice.

Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel.