Memorial
Delores “Dee” M. Thurston Brown passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on Friday, April 5th, 2024. Services to include a visitation at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home on Monday, April 8th from 5 – 7 PM, followed by a celebration of life at First Baptist Church-Church of the Brethren, 5200 Northland Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 on Tuesday, April 9th at 10 am.
Survivors include her son, Jim Thurston and Daughter-In-Law, Sherrie of Anamosa, Iowa; two granddaughters, with whom she had a special relationship, Jennifer Thurston of Marion, IA and Sarah (Ryan) Geiter of Olathe, KS; and two great-grandchildren, Paighton and Gannon Geiter. Dee is also survived by two step-daughters, Chris Glover of FL and Coe (Denny) Molumby of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and four step-grandchildren, Dan and Justin Molumby, Kay Jandik and Ken (Amber) Jandik. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, all of whom were very dear to her.
Dee was preceded in death by her first husband, Jim. A.W. Thurston; her second husband, F. Wallace (Wally) Brown; a brother, Carroll “Bud” Hanshaw; her sisters, Violet (Bob) Morlan; Bertha (Bob) Long, Yvonne (Dean) Lakose and her parents, Carroll and Vera Elaine Hanshaw.
Born January 15, 1931 in Cedar Rapids, Ia to Carroll and Vera Hanshaw and a January 1949 graduate of McKinley Senior High School. She married Jim. A.W. Thurston on November 2nd, 1950 in Cedar Rapids. Jim passed away in May of 1985. She was then married to F. Wallace “Wally” Brown. Wally passed away in September 2013.
Dee was employed for 38 years by Simons, Perrine, Albright and Ellwood as a legal secretary to William P. Ellwood. She tried to retire from the law firm three different times, each time always pleased to return to “help out”. Dee was an organizer and charter member of the Linn County Legal Secretaries Association which later became Legal Support Professionals of Linn County and of Iowa.
Her love of music and singing also led her to sing with many groups, including church choirs during her membership at the First Baptist Church-Church of the Brethren since 1938. She was also a member of the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale, along with the Women’s Chorus of the Chorale; known as “Women of Song” and Chorale Midwest. Her years with Cedar Rhapsody, chapter of Sweet Adelines, allowed her to travel to Houston, San Antonio, Hawaii and New York City. In New York City, Cedar Rhapsody was invited to sing at Carnegie Hall, an opportunity she was extremely proud of and thoroughly enjoyed.
Dee had a special relationship with her granddaughters. They were the “sunshine” of her life and she treasured their time together. Her relationship with her sisters and their “together” times were so very special to her. She was devoted to her “lunch bunch” for more than 40 years and to her “Diva” group of four.
“Our angel on earth, your work done and checked. We love you a bushel, a peck, and a hug around the neck.”
Her family would like to extend our deepest thanks to the staff of St. Croix Hospice care and especially to her caregivers at Terrace Glen Village. Your expertise and attentiveness went beyond mere duty; it touched our hearts deeply.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Baptist Church-Church of the Brethren or the American Cancer Society.