Dorothy Brown, of Clarkfield, died on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at the Chippewa County-Montevideo Hospital at the age of 73. Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, March 18, 2013 at 10:30 A.M. at the Clarkfield Lutheran Church in Clarkfield. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Montevideo. Visitation will be Sunday afternoon and evening with the family present from 5 – 7 P.M. and with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo.
Dorothy Mae (Anderson) Brown was born on May 11, 1939 at Goodridge, MN to Johannas and Margaret (Stensrud) Anderson. She was baptized at Goodridge Lutheran Church and confirmed at Clarkfield Lutheran Church. She graduated from Minneota High School in 1957. On December 5, 1959 she was united in marriage to Merlyn Brown. They farmed and she enjoyed farm life, helping Merlyn by driving tractor (sometimes with children and puppies in the tractor cab with her), driving truck, and providing big lunches to Merlyn and sons. Dorothy decided to make a change from working on the farm to working at Innovex in Montevideo and later at Schotts in Canby. She had a close group of friends from Innovex that she got together with on a regular basis after retirement. She always looked forward to spending time with these close friends. She also has many life-long friendships that were special to her.
Her interests included gardening, quilting, sewing, and Nascar Races, always cheering on her favorite driver Jeff Gordon. Her greatest joy was her family. She enjoyed spending time with her sisters, shopping, having coffee parties, and just sharing fond memories and laughing together. She looked forward to all family events, especially the annual Anderson Christmas party and summer Brown reunion, when she could visit with all extended family. Family was very important to her.
Her grandchildren and great grandchildren had a special place in her heart. She loved making them her famous strawberry jam, and they loved it too. According to the grandchildren, her jam was the best present ever. She always gave the grandchildren a special goodbye that they all remember. She would wave to them from the living room window or front deck, and they would wave back until they were out of sight.
She is survived by her husband, Merlyn; children: Gregory (and Robyn) Brown of Montevideo, Vicky (and Terry) Willander of Clarkfield, MN, Sherie (and Philip) Hermann of Maple Grove, MN, Mark (and Becky) Brown of Albion, NE and Thomas (Kari) Brown of Hennepin, IL; fifteen grandchildren: Melissa (Allen) Anderson, Sarah (Matt) Van Gorp, Dustin (Aislinn) Willander, Nicole (Doug) Jans, Carlee Willander, Austin Hermann, Jessie Hermann, Cole Hermann, Megan (Kelly) Hunt, Cody (Serena) Brown, Clay Brown, Thomas Brown, Jr., Lauren, Madison and Brooklyn Brown; nine great-grandchildren: Jonas, Afton, Kiptyn, Emry, Avery, Hunter, Alexis, Aleigha, and Sophia; a brother, Arden (and Pat) Anderson of Montevideo; two sisters: Marlys (and Archie) Froland of Clarkfield, MN and Bernice (and Gene) Moseng of Montevideo; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Charles (Lois) Brown and Thomas (Meredith) Brown, both of Bemidji, MN; as well as by numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Gordon Anderson; her parents-in-law, Ray and Ida Brown; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lois and Paul Bergo and a brother-in-law Donald Norman.