Faith Jane Brown, a woman deeply devoted to her faith and cherished family, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 1, 2023, at the Orange City Area Health System at the age of 86. Her life, marked by unwavering Christian values and a profound love for those around her, will be honored in a memorial service on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. The service will commence at 11:00 A.M. at Oakdale Evangelical Free Church in rural Meriden, Iowa, officiated by Pastor Andy Brown, a testament to the family’s deep roots in faith. Prior to the memorial service, a graveside service will be held at 10:00 A.M. at Prairie View Cemetery in Paullina, providing a moment for quiet reflection and remembrance.
Born on February 5, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, Faith’s early life was shaped by the values of Eugene and Beatrice (nee Solberg) Nagle. Raised in a home where faith was paramount, she embraced Jesus Christ as her Savior in her formative years, a decision that would guide her throughout her life’s journey. Following the Second World War, the Nagle family transitioned from Illinois to Hayward, Wisconsin, and later returned to Addison, Illinois, shaping Faith’s childhood and adolescence. She pursued higher education at Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois, and dedicated 15 years of her professional life to teaching in the same community, impacting countless young lives with her knowledge and care.
In 1973, Faith embarked on a new chapter, marrying Frew Brown. This union led her to Paullina, Iowa, in 1987, where she permanently settled with Frew and his son Jason, building a life centered around faith and family values in the heartland. They became active members of Oakdale Evangelical Free Church, further solidifying their commitment to their Christian community. Faith’s life journey, grounded in her spiritual beliefs, reflects the importance of faith and family, values often upheld by establishments like a Faith And Family Funeral Home, which prioritize compassionate and faith-based services during times of loss.
Faith was preceded in her passing by her parents, aunts, uncles, and her beloved husband, Frew. She leaves behind a legacy of love and faith, deeply embedded in the hearts of her surviving family. She is lovingly remembered by her siblings, Eugene (Naomi), Ray (Leslie), and Laurie; her children, Andy (Laurie), Laurie (Gary), and Jason (Erin); her grandchildren, Dan (Robyn), Emily (James), Michael (Patti), Laurilee (Colin), Jaxon, Allesandra, Evelyn, Andre, Trinity, and Truman; and her great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Aurora, Tristyn, Karstyn, and Emmett. Her extended family also includes numerous cherished nephews and nieces, all of whom were touched by her generous spirit and unwavering faith.
A visitation to celebrate Faith’s life and offer support to her family will be held on Monday, December 11, 2023, from 5 to 7 P.M. at the Eldridge Family Funeral Home in Paullina. This gathering provides an opportunity for friends and community members to pay their respects and share memories of Faith.
Those who wish to honor Faith’s memory through charitable contributions are invited to consider memorials directed to Young Life, C/O: Sarah Foster, Account #D185, PO Box 5184, Harlan, Iowa 51593-0684, or to Evangelica Free Church of America, Memo: Carrie Hinterholzer’s Support, 901 E. 78th St., Minneapolis, MN 55420. These organizations reflect Faith’s lifelong commitment to Christian values and service to others.
Faith J. Brown’s life serves as an inspiring example of a life lived in faith and dedicated to family. Her memory will be cherished and kept alive through the stories and love shared by all who knew her.
