Donna Brown

DONNA BROWN IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Donna Evans Cole Brown, 87, of Idaho Falls, died December 6, 2005, in Orem, Utah. She was born November 25, 1918, at Riverdale, Idaho, to Joseph Edwin Cole and Gwendolyn Evans Cole. She attended Oneida Academy, where she was valedictorian of her senior class. She continued her education at the University of Idaho Southern Branch, where she met her future husband, Vern Melvin Brown. On August 27, 1937, she and Mel were married in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They lived in Salt Lake City, Utah; Alameda, California; Idaho Falls; Saudi Arabia; Provo, Utah, and summered in Island Park. She was active in the Idaho Falls Music Club and served as president. She also helped in the schools with the Parent Teacher Association and led fundraising efforts to purchase band uniforms at O.E. Bell Junior High. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1984, she served a mission with her husband to Washington, D.C. where they worked with Cambodian refugees. Donna was also an ordinance worker in the Provo Temple. Donna enjoyed gardening and opening her home to family and friends. She appreciated the beauty around her and was always willing to wash dishes at the family cabin on Henry’s Lake because she “could look out the window and see the beautiful lake and the mountains.” She and Mel traveled extensively to Europe, Israel, India, Mexico, South America, Russia and China to name a few. She enjoyed meeting different people in different lands. Donna was a wonderful cook, a very supportive and nurturing mother, and loved her family very much. Her grandchildren will miss frequent lunch dates with her. Survivors are: Son: Joseph LeRoy (Marian) Brown of Provo, UT Daughter: DeAnne (Lynn) Whiting of Orchard Park, New York Daughter: Maureen (Dale) Petersen of Idaho Falls, ID Daughter: Donnell Detweiler of Orem, UT Daughter: Julie (Quinn) Gardner of Bountiful, UT Son: Stanley (Kathleen) Evans Brown of Fort Leonard Wood, MO Daughter: Jan Brown of Bountiful, UT Daughter: Jill (James) Shumway of Orem, UT Sister: Connie Gardner of St. George, UT 40 Grandchildren and 58 Great Grandchildren She was preceded in death by her husband; a son-in-law, Robert Detweiler; a brother, Wayne Cole; and a sister, Shirley Larsen. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 15, 2005, at the Idaho Falls LDS 8th Ward, 2051 S. Emerson, with Bishop Brad Doman officiating. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. __________________________________________ Condolences sent: Ruby Knapp & Joyce McBride (jo325@cableone.net) To the Brown Family: At the passing of a dear friend, we send our love and sympathy to your family. We honor the life of Donna Brown who was someone very special and who will always be remembered. Terrie (Poulsen) Mackley (terriecmack@msn.com) Dearest friends, please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers at this time. Even though sometimes a passing is a blessing, we can never be fully prepared for the loss. You all are a very large part of my favorite memories growing up and think of you often with love and smiles. Please give each other a big hug for me and again accept my deepest sympathy, and love. Your mom is a wonderful person and friend. With love for each of you, Terrie (Poulsen) Mackley.