Obituary for Evelyn Marie Brown
Leaf River – Evelyn Marie Brown, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, 96, of Leaf River, passed away Sunday, June 10th, 2018 at Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon, IL, surrounded by her loving family. Born September 6, 1921 in Wykoff, MN, the daughter of James Sanford and Marie Caroline (Linnemeyer) McNeil. Evelyn considered herself a city girl being raised in Dixon and graduating from Dixon High School in 1939. After marrying Robert Lyle Brown on November 10, 1943 in Champaign, IL, Evelyn described herself as a farm wife. They started their lives together when Robert Lyle was in the U. S. Army Air Corp. for six years during WW II and then settled on their first farm in Dixon, later moving to Polo and then purchasing their own farm in Egan. They lived on the Egan farm for 47 years raising six children, one son, Wesley Dean and five daughters, Linda Marie, Brenda Lee, Dana Sue, Renée Kay, and Denise Rae.
Evelyn maintained a large garden and assorted fruit trees; canning and freezing many fruits and vegetables along with baking pies for her family. She was known for her homemade pizza and sweet treats. Evelyn was an avid seamstress who enjoying seeing her children in her self-designed clothing. She loved to travel, was a very talented artist, craft maker and enjoyed drinking coffee. She believed strongly in education and pushed all of her children to have a career. Having a family of six children, thirteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren brought much joy to her life. Evelyn loved playing cards and dominos with her grandchildren, friends, and neighbors, playing all day and night if allowed.
Evelyn is survived by her five daughters, Linda (Dan) Duncan of Davis, IL, Brenda (Vance) Miller of Monroe, WI, Dana Hanson (Tom Mulford) of Middleton, WI, Renée Elgin (Ronald) Alexander of Indian Harbour Beach, FL, Denise (Dennis) Becker of Winnebago, IL; thirteen grandchildren, Sara Brown (Heru Setiawan), Brandon Brown, Douglas (Julie) Duncan, Darren (Michele) Duncan, Stacy Miller (David Stromalski), Kelsey Miller (Bill Raddatz), Krista Hanson, Kaylea (Andrew) de Moya, Erik Hanson, Matthew Elgin, Mitchell (Marisa) Elgin, Derek (Jackie) Becker, Danielle (Matthew) Zumdahl; thirteen great-grandchildren and extended family and relatives.
Evelyn is predeceased by her beloved husband of 57 years, Robert Lyle Brown; son, Wesley Brown; grandson, Jason Peterson; sister, Geraldine Feldkirchner; parents James and Marie McNeil; friends, neighbors and relatives too many to name.
Funeral service 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 15th, 2018, at Genandt Funeral Home, 602 N. Elida St., Winnebago with Chaplain Sean M. Huguenin of FHN Hospice in Freeport officiating. Interment at Lightsville Cemetery near Leaf River. Visitation 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, June 14th, 2018, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established for FHN Hospice in Freeport, Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon and Prairie View Assisted Living Community in Winnebago. For an online obituary and tributes go to www.genandtfuneralhome.com.
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Evelyn maintained a large garden and assorted fruit trees; canning and freezing many fruits and vegetables along with baking pies for her family. She was known for her homemade pizza and sweet treats. Evelyn was an avid seamstress who enjoying seeing her children in her self-designed clothing. She loved to travel, was a very talented artist, craft maker and enjoyed drinking coffee. She believed strongly in education and pushed all of her children to have a career. Having a family of six children, thirteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren brought much joy to her life. Evelyn loved playing cards and dominos with her grandchildren, friends, and neighbors, playing all day and night if allowed.
Evelyn is survived by her five daughters, Linda (Dan) Duncan of Davis, IL, Brenda (Vance) Miller of Monroe, WI, Dana Hanson (Tom Mulford) of Middleton, WI, Renée Elgin (Ronald) Alexander of Indian Harbour Beach, FL, Denise (Dennis) Becker of Winnebago, IL; thirteen grandchildren, Sara Brown (Heru Setiawan), Brandon Brown, Douglas (Julie) Duncan, Darren (Michele) Duncan, Stacy Miller (David Stromalski), Kelsey Miller (Bill Raddatz), Krista Hanson, Kaylea (Andrew) de Moya, Erik Hanson, Matthew Elgin, Mitchell (Marisa) Elgin, Derek (Jackie) Becker, Danielle (Matthew) Zumdahl; thirteen great-grandchildren and extended family and relatives.
Evelyn is predeceased by her beloved husband of 57 years, Robert Lyle Brown; son, Wesley Brown; grandson, Jason Peterson; sister, Geraldine Feldkirchner; parents James and Marie McNeil; friends, neighbors and relatives too many to name.
Funeral service 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 15th, 2018, at Genandt Funeral Home, 602 N. Elida St., Winnebago with Chaplain Sean M. Huguenin of FHN Hospice in Freeport officiating. Interment at Lightsville Cemetery near Leaf River. Visitation 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, June 14th, 2018, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established for FHN Hospice in Freeport, Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon and Prairie View Assisted Living Community in Winnebago. For an online obituary and tributes go to www.genandtfuneralhome.com.
Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
14
Jun
6:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
Genandt Funeral Home
602 N. Elida St.
Winnebago, IL 61088
Funeral Service
Friday
15
Jun
11:00 AM
Genandt Funeral Home
602 N. Elida St.
Winnebago, IL 61088
Cemetery Details
Location
Lightsville Cemetery
N. Leaf River Rd.
Leaf River, IL 61047
Memorial Contribution
Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon
Prairie View Assisted Living Community in Winnebago
FHN Hospice in Freeport
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