Lois Marlene Brown, age 53, of Mahnomen, MN, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2009 at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Lois was born to Avonelle (Wadena) Sargent on April 7, 1956 in White Earth, MN. She attended schools in Minneapolis, MN, Naytahwaush, MN, and Mahnomen. Lois finished her schooling by earning her GED then attended post secondary for chef training and she also attended Bemidji State University where she completed her CDA training to become a Head Start Teacher. Prior to college, Lois was united in marriage to Francis William Brown Jr. on October 28, 1980. They continued to make their home in the Mahnomen/Naytahwaush area.

Lois was a loving and caring person and a second mother to all of her siblings. She became a stay at home mother and wife to care for her children and grandchildren, which became her animal kingdom. Lois gave all her children and grandchildren animal nicknames. She was like a mother bear to all of her family. She was also known as the community babysitter, which inspired her to become a foster parent. She was the family joker and knew how to make people laugh. Lois and her family were devoted Christians and gave their life to the Lord in 1984 and throughout her life she continually lived for the Lord.

Lois is survived by her husband, Francis Brown Jr.; her mother, Avonelle Sargent; four sons: Sonny (Desiree) Wadena, Reginald (Shalene) Brown, Francis Brown III, Anthony (Appleonia) Fairbanks Brown; four daughters: Stacey (Tim) Wadena, Lorraine "Lolly" (Michael) Johnson, April (Joseph) Brown, Francine (Chris) Brown; five brothers: Darrell "Boone"(Kelly) Wadena, John "Hogman" (Laticia) Sargent, Brian "Big Sexy" Sargent, Josh Thompson, Robert Thompson; nine sisters: Kathleen (Nick) Wadena, Cheryl (Billie) Sargent, Eleanor Sargent, Jamie Sargent, Melanie Sargent, Brenda Sargent, Rita Marchaud, Robin Ankeny, Dorene Thompson; 24 grandchildren and special son Nathaniel "Sano" Sargent.

She is preceded in death by her father; one son, Salem "Manny" Wadena; two sisters, Janelle "Nellie" Sargent and Lorene Thompson; her grandmother, Mary Sargent; her grandfather, John S. Wadena; and one uncle, John "Jack" Wadena.


A Christian Wake was held at the Church of Naytahwaush in Naytahwaush, Minnesota on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 beginning at 5:00 pm and continuing until the funeral service on Thursday. Christian Funeral Services were held at 11 am on Thursday, July 23, 2009, also at the Church of Naytahwaush. Service leaders were Marlin Hunt, Pastor Tim Brown, Pastor Bill Brown and Willie Adkinson. Music was provided by Pat Moran, Tim and Tammy Brown, Debbie Lerr and Lois' children. Pallbearers were Russ Murray, Fred Murray, Bruce Turner, Winston Wadena, Sam Wadena and Curt Bevins. Honorary pallbearers were Cleo Parsian, Roberta Oppegard, Susie Bunker, Deb Uran, Tammy Wadena, Pam Keezer, Jana Keezer, Carol Brown, Debbie Lerr, Lois Pritch, Lesta Neeland, Kelly Stangle, Denise Fostrom and all of Lois' grandchildren.

Interment was in the Brown Family Cemetery, rural Naytahwaush.