Anna Marie Brown

Anna Marie, daughter of Lester James and Georgia Victoria (Engebretson) Pangborn, was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1924, in Jefferson, Iowa. She attended school in Bayard, graduating from Bayard High School in 1942, and went on to further her education at Capitol City Commercial College in Des Moines.

In 1943, Ann worked at the ordinance plant in Ankeny during World War II. On December 18, 1944, she was united in marriage with Donald D. Brown, and together they were blessed with two daughters. The couple farmed near Bayard until 1949, then spent a year and a half in Colorado before returning to the Bayard area to farm until 1964.

That same year, Ann became the assistant administrator at the Bayard Nursing Home and later in Chariton until 1968. From 1969 to 1983, she and Donald owned and operated Strauser Hardware in Bayard. Following that, she worked as a CNA and social services coordinator until her retirement in 1996. After retiring, she moved to the Des Moines area, where she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, listening to audiobooks when her eyesight declined, and playing bingo at her assisted living community.

Ann had a lifelong love of music and dancing. At just eight years old, she played the baritone in her high school orchestra and even performed solos at the county fair. In her later years, she enjoyed spending time at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward and Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines.

She was also an avid Chicago Cubs, Iowa State Cyclones, and Iowa Hawkeyes fan, and she especially cherished attending the many activities of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was a member of the Bayard United Methodist Church and WSCS, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Iowa FP TTT Chapter, and in earlier years, belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star.

Ann passed away on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, at the age of 100 years, nine months, and six days. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Georgia Pangborn; husband, Donald D. Brown in 1991; and brother, George (Mary) Pangborn.

She is survived by her daughters, Donna (Dennis) Tague of Johnston and Jeri (Kent) Juergens of Urbandale; grandchildren, Dan (Kristin) Tague, Darcy (Jason) Doty, Andrea Juergens, and Alex Juergens; great-grandchildren, Avery (Austin) Zwaschka, Spencer Tague, Grace Doty, Leah Doty, Izzy Clark, and Kinzlee Clark; along with several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Bayard, with visitation beginning one hour prior at 12:30 p.m. Burial will follow in Willow Township Cemetery near Bayard. Memorials may be directed to the family to be shared with organizations that were meaningful to Ann.