Thelma Brown

Thelma May Brown, 93, of Yates Center, Kansas, died Friday, January 16, 2009, at the Allen County Hospital in Iola, Kansas. Thelma was born December 22, 1915, at Gridley, Kansas, to George Benjamin and Anna May (McAllister) Haas. She grew up north of Yates Center and graduated from Pleasant Hill country school and from Yates Center High School in 1934. After high school, Thelma went to college in Chicago to become a medical technician and doctor's assistant. After graduation, she was employed for about ten years for the Charles B. Alexander Medical Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. On December 13, 1945, Thelma married Irvin Vernon Brown at Emporia, Kansas. They made their home at Gridley where she was a bookkeeper for the family business, Brown Drilling Company. In 1968, they moved to Yates Center where they owned and operated Brown's Western Auto. Mr. Brown preceded her in death on Nov. 4, 1973. She enjoyed her family and grandchildren. Thelma was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Yates Center, The Order of The Eastern Star at Gridley, Kansas, and the American Legion Auxiliary at Yates Center. SURVIVORS: 1 Son: Gregory I. Brown of Yates Center, Kansas 1 Daughter: Cecilia Ann Benteman & husband, Larry of Yates Center, Kansas 4 Grandchildren: Kimberly Hart & husband, Christopher; Annette Benteman & husband, Philip Ngunjiri; Matthew Benteman & wife, Lisa and Juliana Benteman. 2 Great Grandchildren: Elisabeth Benteman and Cecille Ngunjiri 1 Brother: John L. Haas of Overland Park, Kansas 1 Sister: Eunice Jasper of Emporia, Kansas 3 Special Friends: Jody Drake, Cody Hunsparger and Jonathan Barnes. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter-in-law, Nancy Brown, grandson, Garrett Gregory Brown, sister, Bernice Spencer and brother, Herman Haas. FUNERAL SERVICE: 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, at the Yates Center United Methodist Church. The Rev. Jan Justice will officiate. VISITATION: One hour prior to the service at the church. IN-STATE: Monday at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. Tuesday at the church after 8:30 a.m. BURIAL: Yates Center Cemetery. MEMORIAL: First Presbyterian Church of Yates Center, Kansas.