Iva Browning

GRACE BROWNING IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Our Mother, Grace Mikesell Browning, 93, died May 21, 2004, at Good Samaritan Nursing Center of causes incident to age. She was under the care of the kind and capable staff of that Center and Hospice of Eastern Idaho. She was born March 13, 1911, at Ora, Idaho, (northwest of Ashton), to Charles Andrew Mikesell and Minnie Louise Porter Mikesell. She was the second of nine children. Grace attended the one room school a few miles from home at Sarilda for eight years. Her family lived on a homestead at the Mikesell breaks, where her Father had a trout hatchery and farm. The children rode horses to school or traveled by sleigh in the winters. She lived with her Aunt and Uncle in St. Anthony in order to continue her secondary schooling. She was always an enthusiastic learner. She loved memorizing songs, poetry and recitations. Her favorite High School teacher was Grant Packer, Sr., who taught her Geography and Social Studies. On October 17, 1932, she married Elmer Floyd Browning in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They raised four children and a foster daughter: Kaye, a State Farm Agent for 40 years and a State Representative for the state of Utah; Merle, owner and operator of Browning Honey Company for the past 46 years and continuing; Clarie, a special education teacher for 37 years in Bonneville School District; Cara "Lee," an accomplished artist and teacher of Art. She funded the building and furnishing of the new Roberts library and city building through grant writing and perseverance. She has been the city librarian at Roberts for many years; Lynette Jordan, a foster daughter, a high school science teacher at Bonneville for a 40 years. Together, Grace and Floyd owned and operated Browning Honey Company, as producers and suppliers for more than 60 years. They were joined in the business by their son, Merle, and later, their grandsons, Tom, James, Azcary, grandson-in-law, Mark Peterson, and cousin-in-law, Juan Lizarrago. Elmer passed away December 16, 1996. Grace lived in Rexburg for 18 years and Idaho Falls for 61 years. She worked for her uncle, Arthur Porter, at his variety store in Rexburg, and then at Kings before her marriage. Elmer often remarked that he found a "Million Dollar Baby in a five and ten cent store" and would sing that song for her. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in Primary, Young Women's, Relief Society and was Junior Sunday School Coordinator for 17 years. She enjoyed raising canaries and African Violets, sewing, crocheting, quilting, canning, genealogy and especially gardening with her husband. She enjoyed preparing delicious meals from her garden's harvest and home grown meat, turkeys, geese and fresh eggs from their banty chickens. She always made room for those needing a temporary home and gave them a lot of encouragement. She always found time to give a helping hand to neighbors, family and new parents with babies and small children. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Grace and Elmer were friends and companions and they worked side by side in their business. They played well together, too. They enjoyed bird watching, identifying plants and herbs as well as all of nature's creatures. They viewed the earth as a marvelously fascinating and beautiful place. They loved to travel and traveled the west extensively. They taught their children the intrinsic value of work well done, respect for all of God's creatures and creations and to love and trust the Lord, and to love and give service to others. Surviving are: Son: A. Kaye (Joyce) Browning, Ogden, UT Son: Merle (Wendy) Browning, Idaho Falls, ID Daughter: Clarie Browning, Idaho Falls, ID Daughter: Cara Lee (Myron) Karlinsey, Roberts, ID Daughter: Lynette Jordan, Idaho Falls, ID Sister: Marie Johnson, Orem, UT Sister: Lyle (Wayne) Reneau, Rigby, ID 27 Grandchildren, 34 Great Grandchildren and 2 Great, Great Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, five brothers, Earl, Frank, Roy, Blaine and Ted Mikesell, a sister, Alice Mikesell Fransen Storms, and a grandson, Micah Karlinsey. The family suggest memorials in Grace's name to the Roberts City Library, P. O. Box 305, Roberts, Idaho, 83444. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 25, 2004, at the Coltman LDS 2nd Ward Chapel, (7 miles north of Idaho Falls on the Lewisville Highway), with Bishop David Keck officiating. The family will visit with friends Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Annis-Little Butte Cemetery under the direction of Wood Funeral Home.