Christian Biography of Lyla V. Brown

Lyla Voncile Brown, the daughter of Joseph and Verda (Demaray) McGinness, was born on October 5, 1919 on a farm near Alexandria, Nebraska. She passed away on April 29, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Society, Superior, Nebraska at the age of 94 years, 6 months, 24 days.

Lyla was one of seven children. She attended school in Alexandria and graduated from Alexandria High School with the class of 1937. She then attended teacher training in Peru, Nebraska. Lyla taught in several one room school houses for 9 years.

She was united in marriage to Alex Brown on March 17, 1945 in Mankato, Kansas and to this union nine children were born. After her husband serving during WWII, they lived on a farm Northeast of Nelson, Nebraska where they raised their family. She helped with cattle, raised chickens and tended the garden.

Lyla was an active 20 year member of the Nelson Community United Church of Church, and many other organizations including the Friendship Club and Bible Study Group.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Alex on September 19, 1997; four sisters and two brothers.

She is survived by her children Ruth Staley and husband Kay, Doris Brown all of Kearney, Nebraska; JoAnn Kruse and husband Ron of Omaha, Nebraska; Margaret Rasmussen of Lincoln, Nebraska; Martha Thompson of Hoskins, Nebraska; and Barbara Dahlman of Atchison, Kansas; Robert Brown and wife Carma of Shelton, Nebraska; Arnold Brown and wife Debora of Nelson, Nebraska; and Kenneth Brown and wife Sue of Geneva, Nebraska; sister-in-law Norma Keldsen of Malcolm, Nebraska; 20 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held on Friday, May 2, 2014 at 3:00 PM from the Nelson Community Church of Christ in Nelson, Nebraska with Rev. Dr. Stephen Berry officiating.

Music was congregational hymns "Higher Ground," and "How Great Thou Art," and Ruth Watts singing "The Old Rugged Cross," with Carlita Price as the accompanist.

Visitation was held on Thursday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Pallbearers were Justin Staley, Evan Brown, Eugene Brown, Bryce Brown, Eric Rasmussen, Daniel Brown, and Bryan Brown. Honorary Pallbearers were John Dahlman, Clayton Thompson, Alexander Thompson and Jason George.

Interment was in the Nelson Cemetery at Nelson, Nebraska.

Memorials are suggested to go to

Condolences may be sent to Klawitter-Price Funeral Home, 446 South Main St., Nelson, Nebraska 68961 or in care of www.pricefuneralhomes.com.

Klawitter-Price Funeral Home of Nelson, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.