Brown, Karmaline I. 'Kay'

Karmaline I. “Kay” Brown, 71, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, March 13, 2010, at St. Luke's Hospital. Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 17, at Asbury United Methodist Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Ed Powers. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include her husband of 50 years, Bob; her daughters, Linda (Doug) Smith of Phoenix, Ariz., and Julie (Chris) Shaffer of Cedar Rapids; son, Michael (Wendy) Brown of Pocahontas, Iowa; grandchildren, Bryan and Aaron Smith of Phoenix, Jacob, Jasmine and Jeremy Shaffer of Cedar Rapids and Caroline Kay Brown of Pocahontas; sister, Lois Michelson of Spencer; and brother, Roy (Mae) Jetter of Guttenberg.

Karmaline was preceded in death by her parents.

Born Dec. 30, 1938, in Dennison, Iowa, Karmaline was the daughter of Zeke Lee “Archie” Santage and Esther Pauline Ridgley. She graduated from Hampton High School in 1957. On July 10, 1959, she married the love of her life, Robert B. Brown, and three children were born of this union.

In addition to being a wife and mother she also went on to fulfill her dreams in nursing, graduating as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1976. In 1990, she returned to nursing school and graduated as a Registered Nurse. Karmaline worked for several years in hospitals, nursing homes and private duty.

Karmaline and Bob raised a happy family and also enjoyed their cat Fluffy and dog Brandy. They went to see Major League baseball games and watched sports on TV. Baseball, football and basketball filled their lives with love and mutual respect for each other.

A memorial fund has been established.

Please sign the online guest book for Karmaline at under obituaries.