Rebecca Lee “Becky” Brown, 67, of West Burlington, died 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.
She was born May 12, 1956, in Burlington, the daughter of Edward and Frances Lee Gerst Sr. On Nov. 6, 1976, she married Thomas LeRoy Brown in Mediapolis. They later divorced.
Becky was a 1974 graduate of Mediapolis High School. In her younger years, she worked as a waitress for many local restaurants and later as a cook for the West Burlington High School. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, and collecting pillows and antiques. She was first chair clarinet and passed her musical skills onto her daughters and granddaughter. She especially loved spending time with her family and the family Basset Hounds.
Survivors include two daughters: Crystal Brown of Stronghurst, Ill., Cortny (Adonis Scott) Brown of Danville, one nephew: Joshua Dale, two grandchildren: Mikey Schramm III and Annamae (Nicholas) Brown; three great-grandchildren: Nathanael, Malachi, and Penelope Brown and one brother: Anthony (Viki) Gerst of Wapello .
She was preceded in death by her parents, her ex-husband, and one brother: Edward Gerst Jr.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, 2023, at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. A graveside service will be at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Kossuth Cemetery, near Mediapolis. Pastor Dean Graber will officiate.
A memorial fund has been established.