Ellen Mae Brown

LODI-Ellen Mae Brown, age 97, left this life on July 30, 2013 to join Wayne, her beloved husband of 75 years. She was born in Lodi to John Andrew & Susanna Cleven Johnson on December 7, 1915. Ellen and Wayne were married after graduating from Lodi High School and began farming south of Lodi off Hwy 113. They worked side by side on the farm which they sold 60 years later when they built a house in Lodi. Ellen was known for her superior cooking and baking abilities, both by relatives and friends and by school children who enjoyed her hot lunches during her many years employed by the Lodi School District. She was proud to be Norwegian, was a lifetime member of First Lutheran Church serving as Treasurer for many years and was active in Altar Guild and Women of the Church. She and Wayne were active leaders in the Happy Hearted 4-H Club which they helped establish and Ellen was a longtime member of the Womens Relief Corps. Ellen enjoyed bowling, traveling, and spending time with family. Respected and admired by her children for her great food, spotless house, dedication to family and her gentle humor. She was preceded in death by husband Wayne, parents, son Roger, granddaughters Karen Meissen and Kristin Erickson, son-in-law Lee Stadler, and all of her siblings, Ingeborg, Arnold, Ernest, Josephine, Julian, Robert, Howard, Alfred (Ottie), Marian, Lynda and Lois . Survivors include son; Ralph (Joyce), daughters; Mary (Don) Erickson, Judy Stadler, Laura (Gary) Middleton, daughter-in-law; Judy Brown, 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren. Also survived by her loving caregivers; Khorolsuren Dorj (Sally) and Bilguun Altangerel. Funeral services will be held at FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, 206 Pleasant St., Lodi, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2013 with Rev. Michael Lee officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the church. Interment will be at County Line Cemetery. If desired, memorials may be made to County Line Cemetery or Altar Guild, both at First Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com Keep a song in your heart until we meet again Hamre Gunderson Funeral & Cremation Care 157 S. Main Street, Lodi (608) 592-3201 Cemetery: Interment will be at County Line Cemetery. If desired, memorials may be made to County Line Cemetery or Altar Guild, both at First Lutheran Church.