Kathleen "Kathi" Brown

Kathleen "Kathi" LaRue Brown passed away peacefully on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Skagit Valley Hospital, with her family at her side.
Born on October 22, 1950, in Moscow, ID, Kathi was the only child of Frank LaRue and Eloise LaRue. Kathi's father moved the family to Spokane, WA, a couple of years after she was born. She graduated from West Valley High School in Spokane Valley. Upon graduation, Kathi continued her education at Washington State University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Home Economics with a major in Child and Preschool Education. She was an avid Cougar Fan, (GO COUGS). While at WSU, Kathi met her future husband, Randy Brown, on a blind date. They were married on August 11, 1973. Randy still had his student teaching to finish, so Kathi worked various jobs at the university.
While on their honeymoon to Victoria, BC, they passed through the Skagit Valley for the first time. It just so happened that Mount Vernon had an opening for an agriculture teacher later that summer of 1974, and Randy and Kathi loaded up everything they owned into the back of a one-ton cattle truck and began their adventure in the Skagit Valley-an adventure that lasted until her passing.
Kathi again started doing various jobs in the valley, but her passion for teaching was always at the forefront. She taught preschool at First Lutheran for years until she started her own family. Cory was born in 1976, and Kyle was born in 1979. Kathi continued to work various jobs until she attended Western Washington University to earn her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. After obtaining her degree, she substitute taught in all the school districts in the valley until she was hired by the Mount Vernon School District as a Special Education teacher at Lincoln Elementary School. Kathi also taught in the dyslexia program and eventually became a third-grade teacher-all at Lincoln. She loved her 28 years of teaching and working with her kids.
Besides teaching, Kathi's other passion was knitting. She was an expert knitter and belonged to several knitting groups. Every Wednesday morning, you could find Kathi with her knitting group at Wild Fibers in Mount Vernon. She and Randy would even plan their infamous "Randy and Kathi's Summer Road Trip" around different yarn stores throughout the United States.
Kathi's greatest love was for her family. She and Randy attended all the band concerts, volleyball, football, wrestling, swimming events, plays, and talent shows for their grandkids.
Kathi was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Eloise LaRue.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Randy; her sons Cory Brown and wife Nikki of North Bend, WA; and Kyle Brown and wife Tracy of Snohomish, WA; as well as their two children, Cooper and Piper.
A memorial service will be held at First Lutheran Church at 2015 E. Blackburn Rd., Mount Vernon, WA, on August 23, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.