BROWN, Betty Jean

David's Desert Chapel Funeral Home, Wickenburg, Arizona Betty Jean Brown passed away unexpectedly on Sunday May 29th. Betty Jean was born to Peter & Marie Franzen in Flanagan Illinois on December 26, 1930. She met her future husband Don when she was a senior in high school. Don proposed to Betty and in November of 1948 they eloped to Kentucky. Betty first worked for the Owens Glass Company and later the Illinois State hospital. They had four sons and Betty became a full time homemaker while Don worked for the Fire Department. They moved to Wickenburg in 1998 after Don retired. The dry climate was good for Don’s health and they both quickly became active in the community. Betty was involved with her church and spent time every week with her lady friends from Redeemer Lutheran Church. They sewed and made needlework crafts to donate to Lutheran World for distribution overseas to the less fortunate. Betty also traveled to Israel with members of her church family. Her other “family” was at the Wise Owl Senior Center. Betty also became very involved at the Wise Owl assuming the responsibilities of Site Council Treasurer after Don passed in 2006. They were married for over 57 years. You could find her daily (except Wednesday) at the Wise Owl having lunch with her special friends Ethel, Harding and June. Every month at the Wise Owl breakfast you would find Betty arriving to volunteer at 6 am. She always greeted everyone with a smile. She enjoyed her Wise Owl friends and having fun with Drew Lawrence during exercise classes. She had a quick wit and an easy smile. Betty Jean was preceeded in death by her husband Donald Brown, brothers Dennis Fanzen and Dewayne Franzen. She is survived by her sister Jayne Bressner, brother Warren Franzenher, four sons Terry, Jerry, James & Dennis. She leaves grandchildren Adam Brown, Nicholas Brown, Kaley Brown, Callen Brown, Alicia Ryan, Steven Govea, Deanna Govea and great grandchildren Jordan Ryan, Haley Ryan and Alexander Ryan. Her passing will leave a big hole in many lives, she was loved by all. A Memorial service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Saturday, June 11 at 3:00pm.