Mary Alice Brown

Age 71 of Circle Pines, MN, passed away on May 4, 2020 after a long battle with cancer. Mary Alice Houtkooper was born on July 21, 1948 in Wadena, Minnesota. Her parents were Charles & Ellanora Houtkooper. Charlie was a baker and Ell was a homemaker. The Houtkooper's had 4 children: Jon, Mary, Emir & Jane. Their family moved to Fargo, North Dakota when Mary was a small child. Charlie was one of the owners of Quality Bakery in Fargo until he retired and sold his portion of the business. Mary was baptized & confirmed at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Fargo. Mary was a gifted pianist and also played the violin. Mary graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1966. She received her teaching degree from Valley City State College in 1970 with a major in Elementary Education with a minor in Music. Mary met Charlie Brown at White Earth Lutheran Bible Camp (near Wabun, Minnesota) the week before she started college. They hit it off right away and he gave her a ride home from camp. The next week at a freshman "Sadie Hawkins Day Mixer", Mary asked Charlie to dance. They dated for two years and were married on October 5, 1968 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Fargo. While in college, Mary played the organ at the Epworth Methodist Church and Charlie worked at Straus (a men's clothing store) & served as a lay preacher on a regular basis. After they both graduated in 1970, Mary put her teaching aspirations on hold as Charlie entered Northwestern Lutheran Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. While Charlie was in seminary, Mary worked as a bank teller to help support them and Charlie was employed as a youth director. Charlie graduated from seminary in 1974 & The Brown's moved to Racine, Wisconsin, to serve Holy Communion Lutheran Church. It was in Racine, that they adopted the first of four beautiful African-American babies. Aaron was their first child. He was followed by Adam, Abby & Allison. The children were often termed: "The A Team". The Brown's had three grandchildren: Jaden, Jaron, and Alexi. Mary worked as a homemaker, a piano teacher, and ran a daycare out of their home in Fargo. After all of her children were in school, Mary worked as a secretary/bookkeeper for Hospice of the Red River Valley in Fargo. She had beautiful handwriting. As the years went by, Mary served as a short & long-term substitute music or elementary teacher in Chicago, Illinois, and Crookston, Minnesota, & before becoming a first-grade teacher at Centerville Elementary School. Mary loved being a teacher. Mary taught in Centerville for ten years before her first bout with appendix/colon cancer forced her to resign. Mary was a private, gentle, introverted, selfless individual. She was special, but she would never tell you that. She was loving and nurturing. When her kids asked her if they could do something, she would think it over and respond by saying: "I suppose...". Mary was a very inclusive person with a strong Christian faith. That faith helped her survive the unexpected death of her youngest son, Adam, in 2004. Mary was a wonderful pastor's wife. She took part in ways that interested her. Such as: being in worship regularly, supporting Redeemer Lutheran financially, teaching Sunday School, leading youth choirs, serving as a youth mentor, taking part in church Bible Studies and Adult Forums, member of the Joy/Peace Circle, cutting quilt squares for the church quilters, ushering, and purchased Christmas gifts for needy children. She also sponsored educational programs for children in third-world countries. Mary looked forward to getting together with the retired pastors and/or spouses of Redeemer on a monthly basis. Their friendship and support was unique and special. Mary was very prim and proper. She was extremely loyal and nurturing to her family and students. She was smart and talented. Mary was also a very organized and dependable woman. Mary never sought the spotlight; but referred that honor to others. She was beautiful. From an early age, she was blessed with a head of shiny silver-gray hair. From time to time, she would surprise us with her funny outbursts and infectious laughter and smile! But most of the time when Charlie would tell a story or joke, Mary would just turn her head, roll her eyes and say: "Charlie"! Mary was a talented musician. She could play by reading notes or play by ear. She had perfect pitch. She often sang, "Puff the Magic Dragon" as she put her children to bed. Mary played the violin in the Racine Symphony and played piano, organ, guitar or mandolin for many church services over the years. One of her favorite musical joys was playing the piano for the Crookston Community Summer Musical: "Oklahoma". She was happy to sit and play the piano for hours during the rehearsals. Mary said it was truly therapeutic for her. In the last eight years, we readily saw how strong and resilient Mary was, as she battled her cancer. Mary had exploratory surgery in 2012, and appendix/colon cancer was found. She followed that with twelve chemotherapy treatments and annual check-ups for five years. Her doctor told her at that time that the cancer was gone; so, she didn't have to come back for anymore check-ups. Six months later the same dreaded cancer returned. In the last two years Mary endured over fifty chemo-therapy treatments and fought through the terrible side-effects that they brought. She did not complain about her pain and never wanted to be a burden on others. She was a brave woman and warrior! Mary's hobbies included: crossword puzzles & Sudoku, singing & playing music, cooking (Her family especially liked her Swedish Meatballs, homemade cream-style corn and her grilled cheese & bacon sandwiches.), baking (Her apple pies and caramel rolls were wonderful!), and caring for her forest of household plants & outdoor gardens. She loved to read and re-read the "Ann of Green Gables" series of books and the legal thrillers written by Lisa Scottoline. She loved to spend time with her family as well as experience time by herself. Given the opportunity, Mary would choose to sleep-in and move slowly in the morning. Relaxing in a meditative bubble bath was a luxury she enjoyed. She would say, "Charlie, it's a beautiful day. You should go fishing." Reading to her granddaughter Lexi at night made her happy. As did prepping for her classroom projects. Having chickens, ducks or butterflies hatch or develop in the classroom were always exciting times for her. Mary had to have her sweets (Orange candy slices, licorice, Werther's caramels and Trident gum) were her favorites. She was an ardent shopper who was always looking for bargains. In free moments, Mary enjoyed watching the History Channel and HGTV. She was a fan of: Downtown Abbey, American Pickers, The Duggar's, Castle and The Rookie. Mary also loved looking forward to extended family gatherings over the holidays. Mary was a homebody. She did however travel to Puerto Rico, Cancun, California, Florida, Canada and the Wisconsin Dells. In late December of last year, with her strength waning, Mary planned and carried out "A Girl's Trip" to Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida. Mary, Abby, Allison and Lexi had a wonderful and memorable time together. Mary did not like: ironing, Buddy sitting on the family room couch or peeing in her garden, or anything going wrong with her car. Violence in TV shows or movies upset her, so she didn't watch them. Mary was an amazing wife, mother and grandmother. She always put others before herself. She had a passive-aggressive personality and kept many of her tender feelings inside. Mary did not like it when her kids fought with each other or didn't listen to her. Charlie feeding Buddy from the table also irritated her. Mary was a cat person. Smokey, Midnight and Moon produced many happy moments for her. Mary and Charlie lived a simple life. They were not consumed with monetary wealth, but with meaningful relationships. Their greatest treasure was their relationship with their children. Mary's dream for her children and grandchildren was that they would be happy. Mary Alice Brown...we will miss you, but we look forward to seeing you again in a realm without any disease or pain or tears. Blessed be your memory. Celebration of life will be held at a later date. Interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo, ND. "The moment of meeting is the beginning of parting ... but the moment of parting is the beginning of meeting again."

Tributes

Mary Alice Brown

July 21, 1948 - May 4, 2020

Tributes

Mary Alice Brown

July 21, 1948 - May 4, 2020

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