Erna Brown

Erna Brown was born October 15, 1911, to Ole P. and Gina Gravlie Fossom in Manchester. She attended rural school in Manchester and two years Business College in Albert Lea. Erna worked for an insurance agent before her marriage to Henry Brown on November 29, 1934. The couple farmed east of Clarks Grove until their retirement in 1962, when they moved to Remer on Big Boy Lake and lived there for eight years. In 1972, Henry and Erna moved to their new home in Bancroft Township and also wintered in Meza, AZ., during that time. They made numerous fishing trips to Canada, Norway and often wintered in different parts of the United States and Mexico. Erna resided at Bancroft Creek Estates from July 1998 until June 2006. Her focal point was her family from her and Henry's relatives to Henry, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Erna has been an active member of East Freeborn Lutheran Church since her marriage and involved in many women's groups. Survivors include her son, Allan and wife, Deb Brown of Hollandale; daughters, Marcia and husband, Robert Knock of Minnetonka and Gerri and husband, Jim Veldman of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Derek and wife, Nicole Brown, Trisha and husband, Muhammad Jobe, Kara and husband, John Koch, Kyle and wife, Diem Knock, Kristi and husband, Phil Paulson, Chad Veldman and fiancee, Katie Hofacker, and Kelly and husband, Don Sergio; great-grandchildren: Mackenzie and Connor Koch, Alyx, Alece and Cole Paulson, Viola Sergio, Drake Bullis, Kendall and Kylee Ward, and Elissa, Breanna, and Isabelle Brown; and sister, Edna Severson. Edna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Henry Brown; brothers, Ole and Wegner Fossom; and sister, Ellen Anderson. Memorials are suggested to the East Freeborn Handicap Access Fund, East Freeborn Cemetery Fund, or the charity of choice.