Brown, Gertrude (Donovan)

Gertrude M. (Donovan) Brown, 89, of Iowa City, passed away Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, following a long battle with heart disease. A luncheon will be held to celebrate Gertrude's life from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Gertrude's name to Iowa City Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent to her family through the web at .

Gertrude was born April 19, 1922, the daughter of “Lib” and Leo Donovan at Elmira. She attended U-High in Iowa City and Cornell College. She taught at Rosehill School in Johnson County. On Dec. 29, 1942, she married Clyde A. Brown and lived in Cedar Rapids until 1993, when she returned to Iowa City.

She worked as a proof reader for the Cedar Rapids Gazette, until her retirement in 1987. She also volunteered at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.

Gertrude's family includes her three children, Terry Brown of California, Jerri (Dan) Lotempio of Iowa City, and Mary Placzek of Cedar Rapids; brother, Ralph Donovan; sister, Ruth Rhoads; grandchildren, Dawn, Jim, Dana, Wayne and James; great-grandchildren, Jesse, Heather, William, Donovan, Matthew, Sara and Brynn; as well as many nieces and nephews whom she adored.

Gertrude's family would like to thank the staff of Briarwood Care Center and Larry of Iowa City Hospice for their care and compassion.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City is caring for Gertrude's family and her services.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 19, 2011.