Grace Brown
Grace Brown, 90, died Monday, April 17, 2017 at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City. She was born May 18, 1926 in Johnson, Kansas the daughter of Robert Richard & Clara Arnetta (Hester) Friend.
Grace grew up in Johnson where she attended grade school and high school. On May 2, 1942, she married Wilbur D. “Bill” Brown in Tribune, Kansas. Grace worked for many years as the Star Route Mail Carrier for the United States Postal Service. She also worked as a school bus driver and a janitor assistant at the Johnson Grade School. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Johnson, KS, a member of the Rebekka Lodge where she served in all offices including president, a member of Royal Neighbors, the Futorum Club, the Good Sam RV Club, a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary, and she served as a Girl Scout Leader and assistant. Grace enjoyed camping, shopping, garage sales, entertaining, and spending time with her family and friends.
Survivors include five children Roberta (Ben) Ennis of Porterville, CA, Rayna Jo Brown of Garden City, KS, Shelley (Todd) Stroup of Garden City, KS, Dwight (Linda) Brown of Porterville, CA, and Lori Kochanowski of Ulysses, KS; a son-in-law Sean Kochanowski of Salina, KS; 9 grandchildren Pamela Ennis, Brian Ennis, Gareth Brown, Garion Brown, Hunter Stroup, Brooke Stroup, Lexi Kochanowski, Logan Kochanowski, & Spencer Kochanowski; 6 great grandchildren Kevin Coons, Jennifer Coons, Ryan Coons, Jared Ennis, Courtney Ennis, & Aden Ennis; 1 great-great-grandhild Brycen Coons; and 5 nieces and nephews Ralph Friend, Bob Friend, Craig Cave, Myron Cave, & Scott Cave. Grace is preceded in death by her husband Bill who died on August 27, 2004. She is also preceded in death by her parents; a sister Helen Cave; a brother Raymond Friend; a nephew Eugene Cave; and a niece Elaine Pierce.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday at Garden Valley Retirement Village Chapel. An additional funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church in Johnson, Kansas with Rev. Brian Faust officiating. Burial will follow at the Stanton County Cemetery in Johnson. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City. The family request memorials given to Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo or to the Scout Cabin Fund of Johnson both in care of the funeral home.
