Marcia Ann (O'Connell) Brown 1942 - 2022

OCONNELL, BROWN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 12/24/2022 at 20:34:16

Sioux City Journal
9 October 2022

Marcia Ann (O'Connell) Brown

Formerly Sioux City

Marcia Ann (O'Connell) Brown, 80, formerly of Sioux City, completed her Earthly journey on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. She was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing which followed a brief illness.

Marcia was born on March 14, 1942, as the eldest of three children born to Vincent and Doris O'Connell of rural Oto, Iowa. Marcia was baptized, confirmed and knew Jesus and the Holy Spirit as her Lord and Savior. She spent her childhood days growing up on the family farm and attending Oto Community Schools eventually graduating from Anthon-Oto High School in 1960. Upon graduation she attended Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb.

Marcia met Charles "Ray" Brown of rural Anthon when they were Juniors in high school, and after two years of courtship, they married on July 7, 1962. Their union was blessed with three children: Stephen, Brenda, and Christy all of whom were the apple of Marcia's eye.

Throughout her younger years, Marcia balanced working outside the home and child rearing. She worked in variety of jobs beginning with bookkeeping at First National Bank, Harris Janitor Supply Co., in the office of Iowa Beef Processors, the Hy-Vee Deli, Laurence's Grocery Store, Jones Eye Clinic, and lastly at Dr Rumberger's office all in Sioux City. Marcia retired from employment in January of 2003.

Marcia had a variety of interests and hobbies. Attending her children's sporting competitions and school events ranked at the top of her list. She and Ray attended countless football games, volleyball matches, baseball games as well as band concerts, choir concerts, and musicals. As a member of Central Baptist Church, she volunteered in numerous capacities including teaching Vacation Bible School classes. Marcia was an avid reader and more often than not, she would find herself completely engrossed with a particular author and would track down more of the novels they had penned before moving on to a new author. Once she and Ray both retired, they traveled throughout the year visiting family which took them to such places as Mexico, Australia, and throughout the United States. She particularly enjoyed numerous cruises to Alaska, in the Caribbean, Australia, and through the Panama Canal.

In 2015, after living in their family home of 50 years which was located in Sioux City, Marcia and Ray moved to Omaha, Neb. In her retirement, spending time with family was extremely important to her. They traveled to each of their children's homes numerous times a year to visit with them. In June of 2022, the couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary by vacationing with their children, grandchildren, and several extended family members for a memorable week in Florida.

She is survived by her beloved husband Ray; son Dr. Stephen (Michelle) Brown of Omaha; daughters Brenda (Tom) Kellen of Kremmling, Colo., and Christy (Andy) Sweany of Portland, Ore.; grandchildren Camille Brown, Alec Brown, Ben Kellen, Carly Kellen, Henry Kellen, and Luella Sweany; brothers Dennis (Linda) O'Connell and Bill (Nancy) O'Connell; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents Vincent and Doris O'Connell; and by in-laws Alex and Masel Brown.