Brown, Julia Elizabeth Ryan

Julia Elizabeth Ryan Brown of Iowa City passed peacefully April 22, 2013, at Mercy Iowa City, surrounded by loved ones. A gathering of all friends and family will be 6 p.m. Friday, April 26, at the Eagles Lodge in Iowa City. A memorial service, officiated by the Rev. Jon Evans of First Presbyterian Church of Wapello, will be 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Gay & Ciha Funeral Home, 2720 Muscatine Ave., Iowa City.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in Julia's name to Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 695 Charities, 225 Hwy 1 West, Iowa City, IA 52246.

Online condolences may be sent for her family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.

Julia was born Feb. 1, 1963, in Grinnell, Iowa, and was one of four children. Growing up in Grinnell, she moved to Iowa City at age 12, graduated from West High in 1981 and attended the University of Iowa.

Her devotion to family was extreme and during the annual family reunion on June 23, 2012, Julia married her longtime love, David Brian Brown, in a beautiful ceremony at the Cochran family century farm.

A very loving, non-judgmental person, she also displayed a quick sense of humor. Julia was also a great cook, extraordinary pool player and gardener as well as an affectionate pet owner to cats Norm and Vera. Her lifelong interest in traveling included passport entries into dozens of countries and all she met were allowed a healthy dose of affection and respect that flowed freely from her. Regardless of how well Julia came to know them she impacted all. Her open and adventurous spirit, forgiving and unpretentious ways, along with her keen intellect allowed entry to many unexpected undertakings, which she would readily and gladly share with others if they felt so inclined to go along. The back road travels of Julia and David are legendary.

Those people touched by Julia numbered many, and she brought the best out in all as she flashed that beautiful smile of hers. She will be deeply, deeply missed and her values, ideals and courageous example of how to live, have left this world a better place. These few words do not give Julia due justice and each one she knew will look inward and define how incomplete it is. She was one special, special person. God Bless Julia Elizabeth Ryan Brown.

Survivors include her husband, David; brother, David (Melissa) Ryan; mother and stepfather, Christine Cochran Kemp and Robert Kemp; father, D. Nicholas Ryan; mother-in-law, Janice Brown; sisters, Lisa Ryan and Meaghan Ryan Houska (Mike); sisters-in-law, Joan Thompson, Mary White (John) and Martha Wilkerson (Dirk); brother-in-law. Greg (Regina); nephews. Clint, Sam and Brady; and nieces, Joy, Julie, Kendra, Ashley, Lisa, Shelby, Abra, Bailey, Caitlin, Elenore and Johanna.

She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Donald Brown; brother-in-law, Paul Thompson; maternal grandparents, Elenore and Dick Cochran; and paternal grandparents, Marie and Joseph Ryan.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Julia's family and her services.

Published April 25, 2013 in The Gazette