A Celebration of Life Service for Carolyn Louise Brown, 84, who passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2026 in Indianola, will be held 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at Center Chapel United Methodist Church, Indianola. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service at the church. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Linn Grove Cemetery, rural Norwalk.

Carolyn was born at home in a farmhouse near Milo, IA July 4, 1941. At an early age, she moved with her family to a farm near Martensdale where she spent much of her life. Her mother was recruited to teach school before Carolyn was old enough to attend. Babysitters were not heard of then, so the board told her mother to bring her along. Carolyn sat in the classroom as her mother taught First grade. She learned a lot for a four-year-old.

Carolyn and her sister spent time riding trikes on the sidewalk, playing house on the front porch, finding kittens in the barn to play with, and helping bring in the cows for milking.

She took piano lessons from Helen Malone in Indianola where she excelled earning many 1+ ratings. Saturdays were special to Carolyn because she went into town for her lessons. At 10 years old she enrolled in 4-H where she loved showing “Moonbeam” a registered Holstein. She baked items to enter in the county fair, but her favorite projects were refinishing furniture. She refinished a chair including reupholstering the seat. It is now a family keepsake.

In high school she played several reed instruments in the band and sang in the chorus. She also loved playing basketball and was a fierce competitor.

Soon after graduation, Carolyn married her high school sweetheart, Jack Brown. They began a five-year adventure moving across the state for his career, returning home when it was time for their oldest son, Robert, to start school. Carolyn chose to be a homemaker until her kids were grown.

She worked at the Roadside Inn (Martensdale) Hawkeye Security Insurance and Brooks-Lussen Insurance. She later added a job at Bambino’s restaurant.

Carolyn was well-known for her love, sense of humor, and helpful nature. She was a gifted homemaker and cook who enjoyed embroidery, sewing, reading and quilting. She took great pride in her quilting accomplishments, earning numerous blue ribbons at county and state fairs, as well as a prestigious purple ribbon at the Iowa State Fair.

Above all, Carolyn cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She attended many of their activities including, Michael and Matt’s speech contests and plays, as well as Amanda and Kasey’s dance recitals. She was also a fixture at the Warren County Fair to watch Allen, Amanda and Kasey show their livestock and homemaking projects. Carolyn loved taking her grandchildren on special travels across the state, which she fondly called “Grandma trips.” Carolyn will be missed by her family and friends.

Carolyn is survived by her children, Rhonda Conner and Randy Brown; grandchildren, Matthew Conner, Justin Brown, Amanda Carnes, Kasey Boehm, Allen Brown, Megan Brown; great-grandchildren, Madey Boehm, Marston Conner, Allisyn Brown, Hayden Carnes, Elowyn Conner, Hunter Boehm, Easton Carnes, Arthur Jack Conner, Orinthia Conner, Everett Boehm; and sister, Linda (Marvin) Mahr. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack; son, Robert Brown; grandson, Michael Conner; and parents, Robert and Cleo Morrison.