Marion J. Brown, 89, of Eager River, Wisconsin, and formerly of Bruce Crossing, Michigan, passed away Wednesday morning in Eagle River. She was born May 22, 1918, in Negaunee, Michigan, to the late Thomas Earl and Ethel Maude (Williams) Roberts.

Marion graduated from Negaunee High School, and was employed as a librarian in Negaunee, prior to her marriage. On June 15, 1940, she was married to Mr. George F. Brown, at Mitchell Memorial United Methodist Church in Negaunee. They lived briefly in Detroit, and later in Crystal Falls, before removing to Bruce Crossing, in 1948, when they purchased the Brown Funeral Home. Marion worked tirelessly alongside her husband, and later her son, and was a source of strength to the families they served. With her late husband, she retired to Eagle River, Wisconsin, in 1979.

Marion is survived by two sons, Dennis George (and his wife, Patricia) of Bruce Crossing, Michigan, and Robert Dean, of Plainwell, Michigan; one daughter, Mrs. Keith (Beverly Dembraski) Roehm of Ontonagon, Michigan; one sister, Alyce Ludholtz of Tacoma, Washington; eight grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George; two brothers, Earl and Clarence, and four sisters, Gwendolyn, Dorothy, Helen, and Gladys.

Marion Brown was known by her many friends and acquaintances to be a woman of class and charm. Besides baking and cooking, she loved being a mother and a grandmother, and she cherished her active involvement at church, both at the Ewen United Methodist Church (1948-1979) and at First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Eagle River, Wisconsin, (1979-2008). Foundational to every trial she faced, as well as every joy she celebrated, was her love of God, and her daily commitment to prayer.

Visitation will be held Sunday evening, April 6th, 5:00-7:00pm (CST) at the First Congregational Church, UCC, 105 North First Street, Eagle River, Wisconsin, and again on Monday morning, April 7th at 10:00am. The liturgy of Christian burial will be celebrated at church on Monday morning, April 7th, at 11:00am (CST), with the Reverend Dale Bishop, officiating. Internment will be at the Negaunee Cemetery where her husband and siblings are also buried.

Memorial contributions in Marion's name, in lieu of flowers, can be made to First Congregational Church, UCC, 105 North First Street, Eagle River, Wisconsin 54521. Mr. Dennis Brown, together with Gaffney Funeral Services in Eagle River, has been entrusted with his mother's arrangements.