Loretta Brown

Loretta M. Brown, 96, passed away peacefully at Country Meadow Place, on Friday, October 3, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. Her funeral Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City, Iowa on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. with Father Tom Heathershaw presiding. Loretta will be buried next to the love of her life (her husband Harley), at Calvary Cemetery in Charles City. Memorials may be directed to the family. Visitation will take place at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home in Charles City on Wednesday October 8, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. where a Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. Loretta Mercedes (Mitchell) Brown was born September 9, 1929, on the family farm, near Cresco Iowa, and was the daughter of Thomas and Loretta (Drew) Mitchell. Loretta's early years of school were at the Catholic School in Lourdes, Iowa and graduated from the Cresco High School. She then attended Upper Iowa College and received her associate degree and Teaching Certificate. In 1950, Loretta met and married Harley Eugene Brown of Charles City, Iowa. As was told of their courtship, Harley and Loretta met at a dance, where Harley was playing in a band. He saw Loretta in the crowd and told a fellow band member: "She's beautiful, and that's the woman I'm going to Marry." In October of 1950, they were married. They built their home together in Floyd, Iowa, where they lived together for 40 years. Loretta and Harley were blessed with two children: Thomas Eugene Brown and Jean Ann Brown. For several years, Loretta taught school in the Howard County Country Schools, in Floyd County Country school, and later at Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Charles City, Iowa. Loretta was forever trying to improve her teaching skills to benefit her students. While still teaching each day, she took college courses at night, and in 1988, Loretta graduated from Buena Vista University with her BA Degree in Elementary Education. Loretta rarely put herself before anyone else. Family came first and she was always there to help with anything possible to make their lives better. Loretta's second love, and her true calling in life, was to be a teacher. She extended that same kind of love and passion that she gave her family, to each and every student that walked into her classroom. She tried to instill in her students that: "It is never too late to fulfill your dreams and be all of what you are meant to be!" "Mrs. Brown", remained a teacher at IC for "49 years" until she retired in 2007. She taught three generations of students and prided herself in giving each student that special individual help and attention each year that she taught. Every "child/student" was special to her; she was known for being strict but a fair teacher. Her students could always come and talk to her about anything. However, and possibly more importantly, Mrs. Brown was known for that special HUG that so many students loved to get each morning of school! Loretta had an infectious smile, laugh, and true love of life. She always had a positive attitude that she portrayed especially to her family, but also to everyone around her. No matter what situation or life's turmoil that was presented to her, it was her true faith in God, that was ever present in her daily life. She truly shared that love each day with all her family and everyone who knew her. Loretta was extremely proud of each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She loved to attend as many of their activities as possible, so that she could "cheer them on"! Her Family was the most important part of her life. Loretta was preceded in death by her husband, Harley in 1990; their son, Thomas Eugene in 1998; her parents; and brothers: Michael Mitchell and Merle Mitchell. Loretta will be forever loved and missed by her sister, Mary Dvorak; daughter, Jean Ann (Doug) Kamm of Charles City; daughter in-law, Glenda (Brown) Hesse of Fairbank, Iowa; along with five grandchildren: Eric (Kate) Kamm of Pella, Iowa with children: Evan and Claire; Kalen Kamm with his sons: Lucas Harley and Kole Thomas of Norwalk, Iowa; Jodi (Brown) and Pat Geerts of Waterloo, Iowa with sons: Noah, Blake and Austin; Chad (Jessie) Brown of Fairbank, Iowa with children: Griffin, Thomas, and Hadley; Matthew (Mandy) Brown of Dysart, Iowa with children: Bailey and Peyton; along with Loretta's numerous nieces and nephews.