Elaine "Ma" Brown

Elaine "Ma" Brown went to meet the love of her life "Brownie" in heaven with Jesus as her guide on December 27th, 2022. On June 20th, 1923 Elaine was born in the yellow house behind Gulliver's Restaurant in Rib Mt., which her father built. Elaine always said, she was born in a strawberry patch. In those days when a birth was imminent, any older siblings were sent to relatives and didn't return home until after the birth. So when Elaine's sister Isabel came home they said to her, "Oh look what we found in the strawberry patch, a little sister for you." Elaine and Isabel walked to St. Mary's School on Grand Avenue twice a day, every day until the family moved to town when Elaine was eleven years old. If the weather was really cold or hot, a driver from Minnesota Mining would stop his truck, boost Isabel and Elaine into the cab, and give them a ride until he had to turn to the plant. Then the girls would walk the rest of the way. On Sundays the whole family would walk to attend Mass at St. Mary's. Elaine's family never owned a car. Elaine graduated from Wausau High School in 1941. Then went to work as a secretary to the law firm of Boileau & Loeffler. When Mr. Boileau was elected Circuit Judge, Mr Loeffler went into private practice. He made the suggestion Elaine take the Civil Service exam and she passed with flying colors. She then got a job at the offices of Price Administration and worked for them until they disbanded in 1945. Then Mr. Hooker who owned Northern Milling Company, also a board member of the Rationing Board asked Elaine to work for him. In March of 1946 she met the love of her life John "Larry" Brown. They were married on September 21st, 1946. They eventually moved to Rib Mountain, where they raised their five children. All the families were all alike in the neighborhood. The neighbor kids would gather at the Brown house. Eventually all the kids started calling Mrs. Brown "Ma" Brown. All of the mothers were like second mothers to all the kids. Larry had a heart attack and died in 1968. Elaine rejoined the workforce to care for her family. She started working for Dr. Wilke the Optometrist, part time. She went back to school to take a refresher course in shorthand and typing. After a year Elaine applied to the Wausau School District for a full time job. She started working for the district at Wausau West in July of 1970. She started as a switchboard operator, advancing to Secretary to the Vice Principal. The faculty and support staff eventually started to call her "Ma Brown", instead of Mrs. Brown. The name stuck until her retirement in July of 1986. She spent many happy days at Wausau West, forming numerous lasting friendships.

Elaine was the daughter of Anton and Rose Schneck. She was the longest living of eleven children. She was proceeded in death by her parents Anton and Rose Schneck, her ten siblings: Eddie (Margaret), Tony (Gert), Rose Walschon (John), Lucy Albrecht, Isabel (Toni) (John) Price, Arthur (Lorretta), Robert (Betty), Bill, Clarence (Emma), Jackie (John) Ramthun. Her husband John "Larry" Brown, son Timothy, daughter in law Barbara, and grandson Travis.

Elaine is survived by her children; Thomas (Tony), her caregiver Kari Goudin, Patrick (Sue), Kathy McElhaney (Vern), Michael (Jamie). Kelly Brown her "adopted" daughter, Peggy Rasmussen her "adopted" granddaughter. Two special nieces; Jamie Machkovech Janesville, and Sue Martin, Milton, special great niece Susie (Tracy) Brown Three Lakes. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephew. Grandchildren; John (Jasmine) St. Point, Matthew (Kristy) St. Point, Nathan (Jess) Wausau, Amanda Mack (Josh) Milwaukee, Molly Vidas (Nick) Waukesha, Ivan (Stephanie) Barcelona Spain, Curtis (Kara) McElhaney Wausau, Hollie (Jon) Weston, Andrew (Jess) Schofield, Alexandra Kessel (Peter) Milwaukee. Great Grandchildren; Timothy Uriam Hawaii, Hudson and Adler Brown Wausau, Desmond and Isaac Vidas Waukesha, Kaira and Averie Mack Milwaukee, JoJo Brown Barcelona Spain, Brynn and Isla McElhaney Wausau, Claire and Chase Chrusniak Weston, Escher and Oskar Weston. Step Great Grandchildren; Kiante Mack Milwaukee, Jack and Julian Evans Wausau, Medora Bellin. Author: Elaine Brown. In addition to the above Mom is survived by her beloved kitty Ernie.

She was fiercely independent, a ferocious reader with an incredible mind, a healthy body, other than horrible arthritis. We will miss you bunches Mom. Love you Forever and Always.

A celebration of "Ma" Brown's life and 100 birthday will take place on June 25th, 2023, 1-4 pm at the Eagle's Club Wausau.

In lieu of flowers; The Family requests donations to be made to Samaritans Purse in Elaine's name. https://www.samaritanspurse.org

Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting family at this time.  Online condolences may be expressed at MWCS.WS