Lorraine Brown

With unending devotion to her family, Lorraine Brown was an inspiration to those around her. She maintained an active lifestyle and was so much fun to be around with a love for life that was easy to see. Although Lorraine treasured her roles as a wife and mother, she just might have argued that becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother was her richest reward. A woman of faith, she was gracious and kind toward all who were near. Deeply loved, Lorraine will be forever missed.

The 1920s were an exciting time in America. Innovation was leading the way to new technology, and lives were never the same. Radios, washing machines, and refrigerators were becoming part of our homes, and with cars that were widely mass produced on assembly lines, cars were more affordable for the average American. Amidst this exciting time was a time of great excitement in the lives of Charles Gordon and Lucille A. (Nitsch) Anderson as they were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as the beauty of May unfolded in Dowagiac, Michigan, in 1926. Their wait was finally over on May 9th when the baby girl they named Lorraine made her arrival. She was the only child born to her parents, and she was the apple of their eye. Lorraine’s father was a cook who owned his own restaurant for a time while her mother was a homemaker.

In many ways Lorraine was a typical young girl of her generation. Raised in the small town of Dowagiac, she attended local schools, walking to and from school every day. Lorraine rode her bike out to Sister Lakes. Her high school years found her at Dowagiac High School where she completed her education and graduated.

New and exciting changes were in store for Lorraine when she met the young man of her dreams. His name was Donald Brown. They met at the soda fountain at the local drugstore, and from the moment she saw him Lorraine knew that he was the man she was going to marry. When he came into the drugstore the next day, she got his attention by purposefully spilling a Coke on herself! Her plan worked, too, as he drove her home. The rest is history as they say. Don soon reported to the Army, but as their love grew he sent a ring to his parents. They had Lorraine over for dinner, and they gave her the engagement ring. Lorraine and Don were married on March 30, 1944. Together they welcomed four children including Kathy, Don, Dave, and Dann into their hearts and home.

There was nothing Lorraine loved more than her family. She stayed home to care for their home and children while Don worked. Lorraine kept a meticulous house, and the schedule was fairly set, too. Dinner happened most days right at 6:00 p.m., and she also made breakfast before everyone started their day. Lorraine was a great cook, and she never cooked with onion or garlic. Among the family favorites were red pork chops, scalloped corn, and a lot of meatloaf. Lorraine was fun, but she was disciplined as well. As a family they enjoyed vacations at Crystal Lake in Beulah, Michigan, and spring breaks in Panama City Beach, Florida. These were the backdrops for some of their favorite family memories. Lorraine was thrilled to become a young grandmother, and she loved doting over her grandchildren. She was blessed with 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren later in life, and she always tried to make time for each person on an individual basis. Lorraine had a way of making sure that everyone in her family felt uniquely loved. She particularly loved Thanksgiving and Christmas, and there were so many presents that it was difficult to even get around the house! Lorraine taught her children things like how to have great manners, how to have class and dignity, and the importance of always looking your best. She was a very attractive woman who was always dressed for the occasion no matter what it was.

Throughout her life Lorraine was a woman of many interests. She enjoyed reading fiction and was an avid card player who loved playing Bridge, Gin, and also Bingo. Later in life Lorraine liked going to the casinos and playing the slots. She had a keen appreciation for music and liked both Elvis and country music. Lorraine was a member of Kalamazoo First United Methodist Church for a number of years. As her family and friends can attest, Lorraine spoiled her dog, Charlie, rotten. In fact, it has been said that he even trumped her family for the biggest piece of her heart! Over the years Lorraine was very healthy, and she was also able to remain in her home. Charlie was a gift from her children, and he was a treasured companion.

All who knew Lorraine Brown would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She lived a rich and rewarding life, but there was no greater gift in her life than her family. Lorraine worked tirelessly to love and serve her family, and she had a way of making even the ordinary extraordinary. Life will never be the same without her here, but she leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her loved ones will forever cherish.

Lorraine Brown died peacefully at her home on Saturday, March 2, 2019, surrounded by her children. Members of her family include her 4 children: Kathy and her husband Don Marshall, Don and his wife Buddy Brown, Dave and his wife Penny Brown and Dann and his wife Lisa Brown. Other members of her family include 10 grandchildren: Donna Moyer, Jennifer Niesen, David Marshall, Don Brown, Kim Cavanaugh, Jamie Allsbury, Carey Brown, Stephanie Brown, Lauren Brown, Garrett Brown and 18 great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held on at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 6th at the Kalamazoo United Methodist Church, 212 South Park Street. Burial will be at the Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac. Please visit Lorraine’s personal webpage at www.BetzlerFuneralHome.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo of her and sign her online guestbook. Memorial Contributions may be made St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital