Esther Helen Brown

Esther Helen Brown was born July 17, 1917 to Elmer and Stella (Kimball) Bisbee in Spencer, Iowa. After graduation from Spencer High School, she worked as an assistant librarian at the public library and later as the high school librarian. On July 11, 1942 Esther Helen married Roland D. "Red" Brown. To this union a daughter, Nancy, and a son, Thomas, were born. They farmed northeast of Spirit Lake until 1967 when they moved to their home on East Okoboji. Her church was an important part of her life. She served as Deacon, Sunday School teacher, circle leader and a member of P.W. She was a member of a quilting group and a Bible study group. She also worked twenty-four years as secretary of First Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the Spirit Lake Township Friendship Club and served as a 4-H leader and on the 4-H County Counsel. Esther Helen enjoyed playing cards in several card clubs. She also loved to travel having been in most of the states, Canada, Mexico, Haiti and several European countries. Red and Esther Helen spent many winters in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Esther Helen is survived by her daughter, Nancy Younie, Cherokee, Iowa; son, Tom (Lori) of Oregon, Illinois; grandchildren Mark (Lynn) Younie of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, Matt (Chandra) Younie of Storm Lake, Iowa, Theresa (Jason) Hickman of Byron, Illinois, Sharon (Jon) Waugh of Hollis Center, Maine, and Kimberly Brown of Ames, Iowa; great-grandchildren Colton Younie, Shane, Chantel and Brandon Younie, and Jacob Hickman; great-great grandson Ethan Younie and a foster great-granddaughter, Sonya; sisters-in-law Abby Sash, Alice Taylor, Rachel Brown, Flora Smith and Gladys Brown; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1993, her brother, George, sister, Ruth Pullen, and a great-grandson, Caleb Younie.