Viola J. Brown, 95, of Duluth, Minnesota, formerly of Houghton, Michigan, died Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016 at the Benedictine Health Center. Among her survivors is a daughter Linda Brown (David Dupont) of Bowling Green, and three grandchildren Erik, Philip and Alma-Lynn Dupont, all formerly of Bowling Green.
During her visits to Bowling Green Mrs. Brown attended Peace Lutheran Church. She also enjoyed strolling through downtown Bowling Green, and as a lover of books, coffee and sweet things to eat, especially liked visiting Grounds for Thought.
Mrs. Brown was born on December 1, 1920 in South Range, Michigan, to John and Anna Maria Jarvenpaa.
Mrs. Brown was a graduate of the University of Michigan with a master’s degree in English. She received her bachelor’s degree at Northern Michigan University and also attended Suomi College. She taught English and Drama, directing many plays at the high school level in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan followed by teaching at Michigan Technological University. She married Dr. Robert T. Brown, who also taught at MTU, and together, they traveled around the world teaching and studying, including residencies of a year or more in Finland, China, Turkey, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Mrs. Brown had an adventurous spirit, enjoying the outdoors, hiking, canoeing and camping. Her first trip to Isle Royale was in 1938 and was kindly nicknamed “The Park Ranger.” She made several more trips to the Island over the years.
Mrs. Brown was a strong trail blazer for her time, active with many social, educational, environmental and social justice organizations. She was an advocate for children and young adults, going out of her way to acknowledge their accomplishments. In 2000, in recognition of that service, Dr. and Mrs. Brown received the Hearts and Hands Award in Houghton, Michigan.
Mrs. Brown was a member of the Ladies of Kaleva, Peace United Church of Christ in Duluth, and the Portage Lake United Church in Houghton, Michigan.
She was preceded in death by her husband and five siblings.
Also surviving are daughters Cynthia Brown (Donna Messinger) of Newton, Massachusetts, and Lisa (Mark) Fitzpatrick of Duluth; a son, Erik Brown (Barbara Weinstein) of Duluth; a sister, Ellen Canterbury of Tucson, Arizona; and grandchildren, Glenda, Andrew, Lianna, Matthew and Gabriella.
A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. memorial service Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016 at Peace United Church of Christ, 1111 North 11th Ave East, Duluth, Minnesota, Rev. Kathryn Nelson officiating. Burial will be held at a later date in the Elo Cemetery, Pelkie, Michigan.
Memorials to Peace United Church of Christ, Benedictine Health Center or the Robert T. Brown Nature Sanctuary/Michigan Nature Association would be appreciated.
To sign the guestbook on-line, visit www.wlbfuneralhome.com. Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
