Gretchen Lorraine (Ackelson) Brown

Gretchen Lorraine Brown, 90, peacefully passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2013, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, October 30, 2013, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue in Des Moines, with burial following at Eldon Cemetery in Eldon, Iowa. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time at the funeral home.

Gretchen was born December 24, 1922, to Leo and Marguerite Ackelson. On June 19, 1939, she married Leonard Jackson and together they raised seven children on a farm in Eldon, Iowa. They were married 28 years until his death in May 1968. She married Bobby Brown on December 15, 1970, and they lived in Ankeny for the past 43 years. Gretchen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and champion of others who enjoyed the arts, genealogy, quilting, baking, ceramics, and socializing with her Perky Penguins. She was generous of her time and talents.

Gretchen is survived by her husband, Bobby Brown, Ankeny, IA, her children Ron Jackson, Floris, IA, Merl (Betty) Jackson, Columbus, OH, Dorothy (George) Stump, Sylvania, GA, Roy Jackson, Ankeny, IA, Norma (Rebekah) Jackson, Carrollton, TX, Dale (Nora) Jackson, Osceola, IA, Kathy (Dee) Popejoy, Denver, CO, and Jody (Mike) Tope, Ontario, Cal., nineteen grandchildren, a sister Norma Roush, Des Moines, IA, and a brother Roy (Lois) Ackelson, Des Moines, IA. Gretchen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Eleanor Keul, her daughter Barbara Gire, and a granddaughter Jenny Hootman.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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