Mershonne Jacqueline Brown

Mershonne Jacqueline Brown died Saturday, May 2, 2015 in Fort Collins, Colorado. Mershonne was born January 14, 1934 in Ord, Nebraska. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Brown; her parents, Harry and Tillie Knecht; and her brother, Mike Knecht. Survivors include her sister, Roxanne Hurt(Dan)of McCook; her daughters, Julie Brown(Dennis Arfmann) of Boulder, Colorado, Cathy Brown(Troy Mai) of Fort Collins, Colorado and Peggy Brown(Brian Barber) of Duluth, Minnesota; six grandchildren, Ben, Sara, Alex, Jon, Lindsay, Wyatt and Aden; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mershonne met the love of her life, Carl when she was 16 and he was the boy living across the street. They married in Loup City and later lived in Greeley, Colorado, Thermopolis, Wyoming and Spokane, Washington before settling down in Hastings. She loved living in Hastings and took great pride in her role as "mom" and raising 3 daughters. Mershonne took after her father, Harry, and never met a stranger. She loved to talk and visit, play bridge with her girlfriends and enjoyed many a dinner party. She had a special affinity for sharing wine and appetizers with friends and family and this was always served in high style. Mershonne and Carl loved to travel and took many a trip both in the US and abroad. She continued to travel with her good friend Loise after Carl was gone. Her trip to Southeast Asia, river cruises in Europe, and hiking in Utah were just a few of her later adventures.

Mershonne loved to bake and her family, especially the grandchildren, loved her pies and cookies. Christmas will not be the same without the many tins and boxes of treats she would bake for us. Mershonne also had a passion for shopping, and never let a sale or coupon escape her. Her shopping trips were legendary and no one in the family could keep up with her. It was even a treat for her to go to the grocery store, which she liked to do daily.

Mershonne worked as the Director of American Red Cross in Hastings for many years. She enjoyed the people she worked and volunteered with. She also enjoyed volunteering at her church, food pantry and library. She was a member of PEO both in Hastings and Fort Collins. She moved to Fort Collins due to health reasons and enjoyed spending time with her Colorado children, grandchildren and extended family. We so enjoyed our happy hours and family dinners, we will miss you mom. Love, your family.

In lieu of flowers please make any memorials to the American Red Cross or charity of your choice, in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive Fort Collins, Colorado 80524. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.

A Memorial Service celebrating both Mershonne and Carl's lives will be held at 10:00 a.m. on June 13, 2015 at St Michael's Parish in Hastings.