Rev. Marlene Brown

Marlene Kay Brown, one of two children of Beulah Ida (Zabilka) Potter and Charles Marvin Potter, was born on April 26, 1941 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She grew up in Cedar Rapids and graduated in 1959 from Washington High School. Marlene enjoyed music and her first musical instruction came from her father on accordion and her mother assisted with her violin instruction. She was the church organist at Kenwood Park Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids during her high school days and it extended into her college days at Coe College, where she majored in Pipe Organ.

Marlene later moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa where she resided for over 30 years. She was a member of the Riverside United Methodist Church where she was the church organist for many years. In 1981, she received a Bachelor's Degree in Personnel Management from Buena Vista College at Storm Lake, Iowa. During 1991 to 1997, she studied theology through the Saint Paul School of Theology. In 1991, her appointment in Iowa was the Woolstock Methodist Church, Duncombe Methodist Church, and Vincent Methodist Church. In 1996, she was appointed to the Town and Country Parish and served the Methodist churches in Leon, High Point, Van Wert, and Weldon, Iowa. In 2000, Marlene moved to Macedonia, Iowa where she was serving the Macedonia United Methodist Church, Henderson United Methodist Church, and Wheeler Grove United Church of Christ at rural Carson.

Marlene's enjoyments included RVing, taking care of animals, feeding the birds, reading, and gardening.

Marlene passed away on February 10, 2010 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa at the age of 68 years, 9 months, and 14 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, Beulah and Marvin Potter, and son Mark Allen Brown in 1994.

Marlene is survived by her son, Kenneth Brown and fiancA(c) Melissa Harrison of Badger, Iowa; brother, Charles Potter of Muscatine, Iowa; six grandchildren, Autumn Brown of Macedonia, IA, Zachary McBride and Noah Brown, both of Ft. Dodge, IA, Amber Harrison, Brenden Harrison, and Cailey Harrison, all of Badger; nieces, Jamie Potter of Muscatine and daughters, Rebecca and Samantha, Rachel Potter of Ames, IA; nephew, Matthew Potter and Angela of Muscatine and children Genevieve and Nathan; cousins, Ivan Zabika and Doris Hager of Kentucky; and many friends.

A memorial fund has been established.