Thelma Luella Brown, age 74, of Sac City, Iowa, passed away on Monday, October 27, 2008, at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, November 3rd at the United Methodist Church in Sac City with Pastor Vicki Fisher officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.

Visitation is from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Thelma was born to Bert and Celia (Rubendall) Francis on July 4, 1934 in Sac City. She grew up on a farm in the Sac City area and attended the Sac City schools. She was united in marriage to Robert C. Brown on July 27, 1952, at the United Methodist Church in Sac City. Two children were born to this union Robert L. and Charlene. Thelma was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church where she assisted with flowers and communion. She was employed at the Loring Hospital in Sac City for over 40 years. She started out in laundry and then worked in housekeeping, retiring in 2004.

Thelma loved spending time with her family. In earlier years she enjoyed camping with her children and grandchildren and walking four miles a day, until her health prevented it. She was a lifetime member of Weight Watchers. In recent years she enjoyed movies, reading, and spending time with her sister, Caroline, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Family was very important to her and having enough food for everyone was a must. She loved to cook; her kids and grandkids don’t think anyone could make an apple pie like hers.

Survivors include her daughter, Charlene (Bill) Sturm of Glidden, IA; six grandchildren: Heidi Jo (Steve) Sprouse of Rocky Ford, CO; Chris Brown and special friend Betsy McWilliams of Des Moines, IA; Stephanie (Ryan) Fitzgerald of Cedar Falls, IA; Matt (Jenna) Brown of Carroll, IA; Lindsey (Mike “Erky”) Schulze of Glidden, IA; and Madison Sturm of Glidden, IA; and two great-grandchildren: Hannah and Caleb Sprouse of Rocky Ford, CO. Other survivors include her sister, Caroline Bruyn of Sac City; sisters-in-law: Dorothy (Harold) McFarland of Albert City, IA and Marjorie Brown and friend Ron of Denison, IA; brother-in-law Lloyd Lamaak and friend Pearl of Pueblo, CO; and many extended family members and friends.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents Bert and Celia Francis; parents-in-law Ewald and Esther Brown; husband Robert C. Brown in 2005; son Robert L. Brown in 2005; daughter-in-law Sheryl Brown in 2007; sister Gwen Niles; infant brother Elwood Francis; brothers-in-law: Edward “Bud” Brown, Donald Brown, Charles Niles, Wesley Kuester and Danny Bruyn; and nephews: Dennis and Ricky McFarland and Darwin and Duane Niles.