Naomi Viola Brown's Obituary
Naomi V. Brown
April 23, 1925-Aug. 21, 2015
Naomi Viola Brown of St. Helens died peacefully on Friday, August 21, 2015, among her friends at Hope House.
She was born April 23, 1925, in Warren, Oregon, to Swedish emigrants Signe Alice Ekstrom and C.J. Larson.
She grew up on the family's farm, where she worked alongside her father and brothers, and learned homemaking skills from her mother. She was confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church, a parish founded by her father and other Swedish leaders a century ago. Naomi graduated from Scappoose High School and worked as a telephone operator in St. Helens for many years.
On May 17, 1954, Naomi married Irvin E. Brown, and they settled in St. Helens, where they raised their three sons. As a family, they camped and enjoyed the outdoors in their free time. Naomi even joined her men in the boat to watch them fish or hunt for ducks. She loved being a homemaker, sharing a strong cup of coffee with neighbors, and eating out. But most of all, she loved to laugh. And her laughter and natural optimism was a spirit-lifter to everyone around her.
In retirement, Naomi and Irvin volunteered to transport medical patients to appointments in Portland for the state's Department of Human Resources. Both were recognized for their service in a 1994 letter from President Bill Clinton.
Naomi knew Jesus and seemed to appreciate God's creation as few others do. Seeing the clouds, or the mountains, flowers, or trees, she often exclaimed, "Oh, how BEAU-tiful!!" Although she never got a driver's license, she cherished going on country drives to watch for elk, deer, or any other wildlife.
Naomi was preceded in death by her parents, C.J. and Signe Larson; husband, Irvin Brown of St. Helens; brother, Carl Larson of Warren; and daughter-in-law, Marcy Brown of St. Helens.
She is survived by three sons: Arlen (Patricia) Brown of St. Helens, Perry (Tricia) Brown of Anchorage, Alaska, and David Brown of St. Helens; brother, Rolf (Donna) Larson of Warren; sisters-in-law, Lorene Larson of Warren, Evelyn (Joe) Baker of Scappoose, Elnora (Rod) Morilon of Mesa, Arizona, and Liona Ambler of St. Helens; brother-in-law, Alvin (Connie) Brown of Moreno Valley, California; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service, officiated by Rev. Cary Wacker of Warren Community Fellowship, will be held Wednesday, August 28, 2015 at 1:00 PM at the Columbia Funeral Home in St. Helens with a reception to follow. Interment will be at Skyline Memorial Gardens in Portland at 3:00 PM.
Memorial donations in Naomi's name may be sent to Swedish Roots in Oregon, 8740 S.W. Oleson Rd., Portland, OR 97223. The non-profit group will republish their English translation of a 1921 travel book originally written by Naomi's father in Swedish. Donations may also be made in Naomi‘s name to the Warren Community Fellowship, Women’s Ministries, 56523 Columbia River Hwy., Warren, Oregon 97053.
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