Gwen Brown

GWEN BROWN

Vinton

Gwen Brown, 79, died Sunday, June 29, 2014, at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton, with the Rev. Dr. Judith Brunyi officiating. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton. Friends may call at Phillips Family Center, 605 Second Ave., Vinton, from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

A memorial fund has been established.

Gwenevere Nietert was born Feb. 21, 1935, in Cedar Rapids, to Claire and Myrle (Andre) Nietert. She was united in marriage to Clark Brown on Dec. 21, 1952, at Lisbon, Iowa. He preceded her in death on Nov. 13, 2000.

Gwen was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school and was involved in other church activities. She served as a volunteer for Meals On Wheels and at

political elections. She and her husband, Clark, were very active in supporting the Vinton Swim Team. Gwen loved gardening and cooking and was known as a person always willing to take care of friends.

She is survived by her children,

Diane (Tom) Ryan of Buena Vista, Ark., Jeff (Carol) Brown of Marion and Craig (Amy) Brown of Green Bay, Wis.; her grandchildren, Elyse (Ryan) Valadingham, Tyler, Marissa, Brayden, Amanda, Heather, Holly and Nicole Brown, Jacob Augustine, Jason (Barb) Ryan and Molly and Brooke Ryan; her great-grandchildren, Mason Valadingham, Tucker Brown and Clara and Vera Ryan; her half sisters, Linda Fritz and Patty Paulson; and her half brother, Bill Nietert.

Condolences may be left at: www.phillipsfuneral

homes.com.