Bettye Rose Brown

Bettye Rose Brown, 98, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Friday, May 2, 2025.

Visitation for family and friends will be 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 16, 2025 at First United Methodist Church in Fairfield. Funeral services celebrating her life will follow at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church or Jefferson County Health Center Auxiliary in care of Barbara McLarney 2102 Pine Ave., Fairfield, Iowa 52556. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.

Bettye was born October 23, 1926 in Fairfield, the daughter of Leonard and Olive (Russel) Hisel. Bettye and Robert Brown began over 74 years of happy devotion to each other when Bob returned from the Army Air Force at the end of World War II. They were married in her parents’ home on an icy Christmas Eve, 1945. Bob’s death in March of 2020 ended daily loving joy, together.

Bettye was blessed with many life-long friends starting with her childhood friend, Erma Hartman. During early family years, the Second Street Neighbors got together for many coffee times, picnics, yard parties, and games of wiffle ball for all ages.

They belonged to several Bridge Clubs with one couples group playing for over 50 years. In retirement, Bob and Bettye wintered in Texas and there found good winter friends.

Family years with five children were busy cooking and baking delicious meals and treats. She was known for her Christmas cookies and candies. Her seamstress skills were put to frequent use making pretty dresses. There was always a garden and a tidy yard where Bob and Bettye planted and nurtured beautiful plants to grow. Their pond provided hours watching for wildlife and birds. A highlight of each year was the family camping and hiking vacation throughout many of our national parks.

Bettye was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church, the MethoWeds Sunday School group and a women’s kitchen luncheon group.

In Bettye’s early retirement years, she volunteered regularly at the hospital auxiliary Bargain Box. She became a proficient and creative quilter; these quilts grace her home. During the last years of her life, Bettye knitted afghan pieces for a church mission project. With the support of this women’s group, she felt useful even when she needed to sit a lot, she kept knitting.

Bettye was so happy to join one last bridge group made up of “younger” friends, Martha, Rose, Judy, and Lorelee. Those weekly bridge games brought sunshine to the final years of her life.

Those left to honor her memory include her children, Ronald (Sharon) Brown of Fairfield, Nancy Huff of Fairfield, Barbara (Joe) McLarney of Fairfield, and Phil (Cindy) Brown of Marion; daughter-in-law, LuAnne Brown of Richland; grandchildren, Mike, Samantha, Kara, Benjamin, Ryan, Shawn, Jennifer, Amanda, Kellan, McKensey and Tyler; and 18 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Bob, she was preceded in death by her parents; son, Doug Brown; sister, Ruth Sporkman; and son-in-law, Phil Huff.