Arlene June Brown

Arlene June Brown née Barnes, 98, died March 8, 2024, at Valley View Village. She was born June 12, 1925, in Des Moines.

Arlene was a 1943 graduate of West High School and worked for the Des Moines Recreation Commission until she retired in 1987 and was a member of Indianola Heights Evangelical Free Church.

She was married September 10, 1942, to Arnold D. Brown and was happily married for 76 years. Theirs was an incredible love story as they knew each other since she was eight years old. She and Arnold spent their 50th wedding anniversary in Hawaii feted by family and marked by Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

Arlene was a pillar of strength in her family. She always put others before herself and cared for many family members. She could be counted on for support, a needed item, or her quick wit.

Arlene is survived by her daughter, Laura McGhay (Richard); son, Arnie; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold; parents, Martin C. Barnes, Elberta (Barnes) Riggle; stepfather, Ovel Riggle; sister, Marietta Brainerd Murphy; and her brother, Gerald L. Barnes.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 15, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street immediately followed by a graveside service at 11:30 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the Valley View Village Chapel, 2571 Guthrie Avenue in Des Moines.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Indianola Heights Evangelical Free Church or Valley View Village Chapel Renovation Fund or Valley View Village Employees Fund in loving memory of Arlene.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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