DONNA BROWN

1933 - 2021

Donna Maxine (Wray) Brown 1933-2021 Donna Maxine (Wray) Brown, Clarinda IA, passed away on November 15, 2021 at Goldenrod Manor in Clarinda, IA. Donna was born at home in Taylor County Iowa, on April 11, 1933 the daughter of Ray and Pearl (McNutt) Wray. She grew up attending school in Hopkins, MO, graduating from Hopkins in 1950. After graduation Donna went to work for the Clarinda Chamber of Commerce in Clarinda. She met Bill Brown at the café in Hopkins, when they were both in high school. They were married on February 16, 1952, the couple shared 69 years of marriage. They eventually moved between Bedford and Blockton, and began their life on the farm, later moving to the family farm west of Blockton, and raising their family there. They were blessed with three sons Billy Duane, Robert Leroy and Edward Earl, who were the light of her life. They moved to Clarinda in 1974 after leaving the farm, and both worked at NSK where Donna retired in 1995. In retirement Donna enjoyed traveling the country with her friends on the Neihart Tours. She loved going to the Lied Center to swim and faithfully did that until her health declined. She enjoyed her garden and flowers, planting and canning enough to share with the family. What an awesome cook she was, always having something to throw together or concoct when family stopped in. Family was the most important thing to her, she loved spending time with her boys and grandchildren, then later the great grandchildren. Christmas and Easter were always a great time at Grandma Brown's, she enjoyed these celebrations as much as the grandkids did. She hosted countless Family dinners on Sundays, always having the requested homemade noodles and homemade mac and cheese, and she made the best pies around! She made sure she passed these recipes on to her daughters in law and grandchildren, and the loved tradition will continue. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister Jesse Siefke. She is survived by her husband Bill of the home, sons Bill (Karen) Brown of Blair NE., Bob (Carol) Brown of Clarinda IA, Ed (Kristi) Brown of Clarinda IA. Grandchildren Michael(Kim) Brown of Lincoln NE, Amy(Aaron)McClain of Blair, NE, Justin(Holly) Smith of Ozark, MO, Danni Samuelson of Clarinda IA, July(Finn)White of Westlake Village, CA, Shadron (Michelle) Brown of New Market IA, Bryan(Danah) Brown of Des Moines, IA, Justin(Jenna) Brown of Indianola IA, Billy Aaron Brown of Omaha NE, Lisa(Brannen) Beemer of Dallas Center, IA and Scott(Alli) Brown of Key Largo FL , 22 great grandchildren, sisters, Esta Thompson, Virginia Damewood, Irene Long, half- sister Diana(Raymond)Herzberg, half-brother David Harper, step-brother and step-sister Dennis and Sherri Harper, and many other family members and friends. She will be missed by all who loved and cared for her.