Helen Elaine Brown

Helen Eliane Brown, 86 of Fredericksburg died Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Hillcrest Homes in Sumner.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 13, 2025, at United Methodist Church in Fredericksburg with Hugh Mackintosh officiating.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 13, 2025, at United Methodist Church in Fredericksburg prior to the service. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Fredericksburg with Joshua Brown, Tanner Brown, Kyle Anderson, Dylan Brown, Jeremy Westendorf, and Perry Peterson serving as honorary urnbearers.

Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Fredericksburg have been entrusted with arrangements.

Born December 28, 1938 in Inver Grove, MN to Gilbert & Lenora (Haupt) Peterson, died January 7, 2025. Baptized in Inver Grove, MN January 7, 1939. Confirmed at the St Olaf Lutheran Church of New
Hampton on June 1, 1952. She attended school in New Hampton IA.

She married Ronald W Brown October 25, 1956 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church of New Hampton. Five
children were born from this union, they became known as the 5 D’s. Later the two divorced. Helen had
a love for people and animals like no one else. She welcomed her children’s friends with open arms
making their house the place to hang out and many still call her mom. Even in her last days she formed
bonds with those giving her care. She often took in strays; at different times she cared for a racoon,
rabbits, birds and of course her beloved cats.

When her family was young, she enjoyed gardening, canning and hoped one day to own an acreage to
grow old on. She was an active member of the Jayceettes and the Amvets Axillary. Helen had a great
passion for helping people, she was blessed by her time as an EMT for the Chickasaw Ambulance. Over
the years she owned the 5 D’s Café and Lounge and was the bookkeeper for the DX Station. She also
worked at Ackley’s and was the lab manager at AMPI.

Helen often said her family was the dearest and most important thing in her life. She spent many nights
gathered around the dining table making memories playing games and encouraging laughter with her
grandchildren. She emanated love. She loved spending time with all of them and her cats.

Helen is survived in death by children Debra Yearous of Waukon, David (Sharon) Brown of Warsaw, MO,
Duane (Shelly Collins) Brown of Fredericksburg, Denise (Gary) West of Clarksville, Deidra Westendorf of
Fredericksburg, 10 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren, niece Penny (Joel) Lang and nephew Perry
(Carla Becker) Peterson.

She is preceded in death by her parents Gilbert & Lenora (Haupt) Peterson, brother Donnie Peterson,
sister-in-law Judy Peterson, son-in-law Wyatt Yearous, grandson’s Tanner and Jayden Brown, 2 baby
Westendorf’s.

(563) 237-6212