Victoria Lee Brown

OSKALOOSA – Victoria Lee Brown, age 69, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Cape Coral, Florida, passed away in the company of her family on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, due to complications from breast cancer. Vicki was born April 12, 1946, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Jake and Margaret (Lowman) Bram. She graduated from Oskaloosa Senior High School in 1964 and went on to get her degree in Elementary Education at William Penn University in 1967. On June 7, 1981, Vicki was united in marriage to Richard Brown in Ames, Iowa. The couple shared three children: Todd, Tracy and Matt. Vicki loved to help others and stressed the importance of education. She began her career as an elementary teacher in Ottumwa, Iowa, and later taught in Hinsdale and Chicago, Illinois. Vicki moved back to Iowa in 1978 and began working for Indian Hills Community College (IHCC), first as a GED instructor, then as the Sex Equity Coordinator. She finished her career as IHCC’s grant writer, during which Vicki was instrumental in securing many grants, including the Jobcore grant for Iowa—one of only eight granted in the nation. Vicki served on many boards and committees throughout her professional career. She was appointed by Governor Branstad to the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women and was a member of the State Leadership Committee for Nontraditional Occupations and Equity. Vicki was passionate about her involvement and leadership in various sex equity programs. Vicki was a strong advocate of education always encouraging others, including her family, to pursue higher learning and career goals. Her life revolved around her family and friends. She will be remembered as the ultimate cheerleader in people’s lives. She was known for her hospitality, positive attitude, and all of the cookies she baked at Christmas. She also enjoyed golfing, her home in Cape Coral, and her beloved dog, Holly. Vicki is survived by her husband, Richard Brown; sister, Susan Johnson of Pella, Iowa; children: Todd Brown of San Diego, California, Tracy (Matt) Brice of College Station, Texas, and Matt (Tonia) Brown of Redmond, Washington; nephew, Nick (Erica) Hatzievgenakis of Scottsdale, Arizona; grandchildren: Jonathan (Adriana) Peden, Hailey and Holden Brown, Caley and Caden Brice; great-grandchildren: Liam Brown and Cason Peden; and great-niece, Olivia Hatzievgenakis. Vicki was preceded in death by her parents, Jake and Margaret Bram. Funeral services for Vicki will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3, at Central United Methodist Church (201 N Market, Oskaloosa, IA) with Bruce Wittern officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, at the Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel (2116 N 3rd St, Oskaloosa, IA); the family will greet visitors from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a Victoria Brown Memorial Scholarship fund at Indian Hills Community College. Please make checks payable to IHCC Foundation – Victoria Brown Memorial, 525 Grandview Avenue, Ottumwa, IA 52501. You can also make the donation online at http://www.indianhills.edu/support/donationform.html. Please note it’s for the “Victoria Brown Memorial” in the additional information section. PDF Printable Version

Victoria Lee Brown

September 24, 2015 - September 24, 2015