Brown, Mary Kay (1934-2022)

BROWN, MANN, JACOBSON, KNICKERBOCKER, LODDEN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 9/5/2022 at 11:52:30

Mary Kay Brown was born on October 3, 1934, to Earl Jacobson and Jennette (Mann) Jacobson in Boone, IA. She married Wendell Brown on May 7, 1960, and they had three children, Mark, Michael and Stephen.

Mary Kay graduated from Boone High School in 1952 and pursued a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Clarke College with a major in Biology and minors in Chemistry and English in 1956. She later received her Master’s Degree in Education from Drake University in 1971.

She started her career teaching 5th grade at St. Joseph and later transitioned to Holy Trinity School in Beaverdale. She left teaching to become the owner of Elsie’s Gift and Card Shop in Beaverdale where she enjoyed interacting with the Beaverdale community for many years. In addition to Elsie’s, they expanded their businesses to include Heart’s Desire and Coffee Tree where everyone who entered was a friend.

Mary Kay was a long-time member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and Urbandale Golf and Country Club. She was an avid reader and bridge player. In addition to bridge, a family event was not complete without several hands of Kings On the Corner.

Left to cherish her memory include her husband, Wendell, of 62 years; sons Mark (Jo) of West Des Moines, IA, Michael of West Des Moines, IA and Stephen (Heidi) of Coral Springs, FL. She treasured her five grandchildren; Emily (Skylar) Knickerbocker, Kirby (Hunter) Brown, Callie (Nolan) Lodden, Trevor (Nicole) Rhiner and Breanna Brown. She also had five great-grandchildren; Sophia and Sage Knickerbocker, Lane Brown and Dean and Lucille Rhiner.

Mary Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Jennette Jacobson, and her brother, John Jacobson.

Memorial contributions may be made to UnityPoint Hospice-Taylor House in Des Moines or Animal Rescue League.