Viola J. Brown
DULUTH – Viola J. Brown, 95, of Duluth, formerly of Houghton, died peacefully in the presence of family on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, at the Benedictine Health Center.
Viola was born on December 1, 1920, in South Range, to John and Anna Maria Jarvenpaa.
Viola was a graduate of Suomi College, Northern Michigan University and the University of Michigan, where she earned a master’s degree in English.
She taught high school English and Drama at several schools in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, followed by teaching at Michigan Technological University.
In 1953, she married Robert T. Brown, also a teacher at MTU and together, they traveled around the world teaching and studying, spending a year or more working in Finland, China, Turkey and Trinidad.
Viola had an adventurous spirit, enjoying the outdoors, hiking, canoeing and camping. Her first of many trips to Isle Royale was in 1938.
Viola was a strong trailblazer for her time, active with many social, educational, environmental and social justice organizations. She was an advocate for children and young adults, going out of her way to acknowledge their accomplishments.
In 2000, Viola and Robert received the Hearts and Hands Society Award in Houghton.
Viola was a member of the Ladies of Kaleva, Peace United Church of Christ in Duluth and the Portage Lake United Church in Houghton.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; and five siblings.
She is survived by three daughters, Linda Brown (David Dupont) of Bowling Green, Ohio, Cynthia Brown (Donna Messinger) of Newton, Massachusetts and Lisa (Mark) Fitzpatrick of Duluth; a son, Erik Brown (Barbara Weinstein) of Duluth; a sister, Ellen Canterbury of Tucson, Arizona; eight grandchildren, Erik, Philip, Alma-Lynn, Glenda, Andrew, Lianna, Matthew and Gabriella; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be at 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. memorial service on Thursday, September 29, 2016, at Peace United Church of Christ, 1111 North 11th Avenue East. Duluth. Burial will be in the Elo Cemetery, in the spring of 2017.
Memorials to the Robert T. Brown Nature Sanctuary/Michigan Nature Association would be appreciated.
To sign the guestbook on-line, visit wlbfuneralhome.com.
Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home is entrusted the with final care.