Doris (Blair) Brown, 91, of Ames, Iowa died on Thursday, November 2, at Green Hills Health Care Center.
She was born June 16, 1932, in Fairfield, Iowa to Hazel (Miksch) and Verl Blair. Doris graduated from Fairfield High School and Iowa State University where she was crowned Iowa State Homecoming Queen in 1951. She passed away 72 years later during Homecoming Week 2023, perfect timing as she entered her eternal home.
After college graduation in 1954, she married Wayne W. Brown, DVM. Doris taught Home Economics and English in Maxwell, Iowa prior to moving to Orion, Ill. when Dr. Brown joined a veterinary practice near Moline. In 1957, the Brown family moved with their two boys to Macon, Ga. as Wayne served in the U.S. Air Force.
In 1959, Doris and Wayne relocated to Paw Paw, Ill. where two girls soon joined the family. Doris and Wayne were involved in the community as they started the Paw Paw Veterinary Clinic and later established the Tri-County Veterinary Service in Earlville, Ill. where Doris helped in the clinic. In 1982, Doris and Wayne led the Paw Paw Centennial Committee, and they authored One Hundred Years of Veterinary Medicine in Illinois, a pictorial history with stories.
Doris was active in the American Veterinary Medical Assoc. (AVMA) Auxiliary serving as editor of VET SET magazine in the Illinois Auxiliary chapter. She was a member of P.E.O., a national philanthropic and educational group, Paw Paw Presbyterian Church, and Collegiate Presbyterian Church after Doris and Wayne retired in Ames.
One of her greatest joys was connecting with wonderful friends and families in the small towns where she lived and worked. Doris loved to initiate gatherings with a seasonal theme, and she had a job suggestion for everyone including her family members. She played golf in ladies leagues and couples’ events, and she enjoyed socializing during competitive bridge games. Doris cherished her marriage to Wayne for 61 years.
Doris is survived by her four children, Bryan (Linda) Brown of St Louis, Mo., Bruce (Barbara) Stewart-Brown of Boulder, Colo., Gayle (Tyler Holck) Brown of Gilbert, Iowa, and Diane (Mark) Ditman of Sugar Land, Texas; eight grandchildren, Elaine (Gregg) Bauer of St Louis, Jaime (Jonathan Graessle) Ditman of Jacksonville, Fla., Ben (Emily) Stewart-Brown of Ames, Matt (Lizzie) Ditman of Phoenix, Ariz., Lauren Stewart-Brown of Seattle, Wash., Blair (Jack) Sanders of Ames, Johanna (Ryan) Jolivette of Waco, Texas, and Garrison Holck of Hot Springs, Va.; two great-grandsons, Crawford and Everett Bauer of St Louis; and two sisters, Joyce Stanley and Dixie Ruggles, both of Fairfield. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Wayne, and sister Marilyn.
The family is planning a memorial service at Green Hills in Ames on Thursday, December 28. Information will be posted at the Adams & Soderstrum Funeral Home website. The family is also planning a service in Paw Paw on Sunday, September 1, 2024. Information will be posted at the Torman Funeral Home website.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wayne W. Brown, DVM and Doris B. Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund for veterinary students at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Visit Iowa State Foundation, enter Wayne Brown, DVM and Doris Brown Memorial Scholarship.
