Marlys Brown

BROWN Marlys Helen (Geerdes) Brown, 89, of Rochester, died of natural causes on Monday, January 15, 2018 at Cottagewood Senior Communities. Marlys was born September 25, 1928 in Rochester, MN to John and Helen (Hinze) Geerdes. Marlys attended Golden Hill Elementary School and Rochester High School. She graduated in 1946. In April 1946, Marlys married Pvt. Ray Ned Brown in Fort Knox, Kentucky, before he was sent overseas to Japan. Upon his return in July 1947, they celebrated their marriage with their families and friends at the Eastside United Brethren Church in Rochester. Ned returned to his job at the Mayo Clinic and Marlys worked at the NW Telephone Office and at the Subway Newsstand at the Clinic. She later worked at the Silver Lake Super Value grocery store and the John Marshall High School cafeteria. She also did daycare in her home for many years. Marlys was a member of Homestead United Methodist Church. The couple had 9 children. Marlys was an excellent cook, a terrific housekeeper, and a caring, outstanding mother. She loved little children and was well informed in how to care for them. She is survived by her loving husband of almost 72 years, Ned; four sons, Steve "Syd" (Wendy), Jeff (Mary), Jim (Deb) and David (Imelda) Brown; five daughters, Pam (Jerry) Betsinger, Deanna (Bruce) Franta, Lori (Richard) Anneke, Linda (Jerry) Stacey, and Lisa Takagi; 23 grandchildren; several great and great, great-grandchildren; brother, Harold Geerdes; sisters-in-law, Donna Geerdes, Hazel Markham, and Marie Mork; several nieces, nephews and friends. Marlys was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Doris Lentz; two brothers, Johnny and Bob Geerdes; sister-in-law, Rosie Geerdes; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ernestine "Mae" and Victor Eichoff; two other brothers-in-law, Bill Markham and Kenneth Mork; two sons-in-law, Jerry Betsinger and Jerry Stacey, and one great-grandson, SPC Joshua Bible. The family wishes to thank the staff at Cottagewood Senior Communities and Homestead United Methodist Church for their kind and compassionate care toward Marlys over the years. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Pastor Luke Nelson will be officiating with burial at Grandview Memorial Gardens. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com