In Loving Memory
Shirley J. Brown
March 3, 1927 - November 18, 2021

In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations in memory of Shirley Brown to:
MILL POND MEMORY CARE
1201 SE Mill Pond Court
Ankeny, IA 50021

VISITATION
Saturday, November 20, 2021
10:00 - 11:00 A.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Emmetsburg, Iowa

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Saturday, November 20, 2021
11:00 A.M.
Holy Family Catholic Church
Emmetsburg, Iowa

CELEBRANT
Rev. Bill Schreiber

INTERMENT
Calvary Cemetery
Ruthven, Iowa

Shirley J. Brown, age 94, died November 18, 2021, at Mill Pond Care Center in Ankeny, Iowa, where she had been a resident since November, 2013.  She was born in Emmetsburg, March 3, 1927, to Andrew and Josephine (Steil) Gappa.  Shirley grew up in Emmetsburg and attended St. Mary's Academy, the Emmetsburg Public School and Emmetsburg Community College.

Shirley married Robert D. Brown, June 19, 1946. Shirley and Bob raised 8 children on their farm near Ruthven.  Shirley suffered two tragic losses in her life, her husband, Bob, to pancreatic cancer on September 15, 1974, and her beloved youngest daughter, Jacqueline, July 11, 2004, in a tragic accident in Des Moines.  Shirley worked hard all her life, raising children and chickens as well as opening her own consignment store in Ruthven.  The town of Emmetsburg and the Gappa family always held a very special place in Shirley's heart.

Shirley is survived by her children; Bob Brown (Kathy) of Arnolds Park, IA and their children Camie and Holly, Dan Brown (Jane) of Belmont, NC and their children Ryan, Steve and Adam.  Joan (Ralph) Stover of Ankeny, IA and children Tom and Jennifer; Jeanice Finnegan (Mark) of Sioux Falls, SD and their children Mike, Katie and Matt; Julie Bright (Dave) of New Hartford and their children Ben and Krystal; Jolene Hanson of Ankeny, IA and her children Josh and Kayla; Jackie Harman (deceased), children Maddison and Jacob Harman, and Andrew Brown (Ellen) of Arlington Heights, IL and Mike.  Shirley is also survived by 23 great grandchildren as well as extended family and friends.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, and her daughter, Jacqueline, her parents Andrew and Josephine Gappa, sisters; Marion Beatty, Elaine Smith, and, brother Joe Gappa, all of Emmetsburg, as well as many other loved ones, including  brothers and, sisters in-law, and lifelong friends.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home