Marjorie Ann Brown

Marjorie "Marj" as she is widely known, has long awaited that call to her heavenly home. Having lived a very full 93 years, she peacefully answered that call while she slept, on September 11, 2022, in Bend, Oregon. "Marj" was a resident of Bend since 1976. We know that she is now rejoicing with her Lord and Savior and her loved ones called before. She would especially want you to know that! Marjorie is the last of her generation, having survived all the immediate relatives of her generation, and those of her husbands. She is preceded in death by Leo R Brown, (Bend 2007) and her first husband, and father of her children, Rev. Vance Glenn Carnahan. {Cedar Rapids, IA, Sept. 1960}. She is preceded in death by her brothers, Merton Edward, (1964), Arvid Earl, {1963} and Grace Lorraine Tarpley (2006) She is survived by her children, Karen L. Carnahan, Portland, OR, Gerald "Gary" R. Carnahan, Sp. Cynthia Carnahan nee Taylor, Phoenix, AZ, Virgil G. Carnahan, Sp. Diane Poindexter, Belize, and Jacquelyn E. Reed, Tucson, AZ. Seven grandchildren, and thirteen great grandchildren. She is survived by her sister's Children, Douglass, Reynold "Rennie", Sherryl, and Greg. Marjorie Ann Everson made her debut in Eveleth Minnesota, on July 29, 1929, the youngest child of Arvid R. Everson and Grace Lillian (Toffer) Everson. She was welcomed by brothers, Merton and Arvid, and sister, Grace Lorraine. In 1941, at 12 years old, the family left Minnesota, moving to Los Angeles California. She later met the love of her life at church where his father pastored. When she met him, she told her girlfriend "I'm going to marry that Glenn" Her friend replied, "Margie, you don't even know him". She didn't care, she had set her sights. In 1947, after receiving his marriage proposal by letter, she followed him to Powell Wyoming with a big black trunk filled with everything she needed to start a new life and where she became Mrs. V. Glenn Carnahan on December 2, 1947. The new bride thrived in her role as the young Pastor's wife and quickly became an integral part of the church. Their children started coming in 1949. The family of six eventually ended up in Dubuque, Iowa. Vance Glenn, the love of her life succumbed to cancer on September 7, 1960, in Cedar Rapids IA. After Glenn's passing, she and their children lived with her sister-n-law and husband on a dairy farm near Wausau, Wisconsin. On a trip to Springfield Oregon to visit Glenn's brother, she was introduced to Leo Brown whom she married on November 1, 1963. Marj was very active in her new Oregon church, Bethel Assembly of God. Over the many years they attended, they enjoyed numerous close friendships that endured until the day of her passing. She taught Vacation Bible School every summer, and children's church for many, many years. In 1976, after moving to Bend, they initially attended Bend Assembly of God. At the time of her passing, Marj attended Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church in Bend. Where she loved to sing the "Old Timey" hymns. Marj worked for St. Charles Hospital in Bend, eventually retiring, and subsequently volunteering there for many years. After retiring, Marj and Leo worked many years for the MAPS organization, traveling in their motorhome to the Southwest in winter, helping churches fix and maintain their buildings. In addition to her love of God, "Marj" loved genealogy! She was extremely proud of her Norwegian-Finnish heritage. Her father was Norwegian and her mother Finnish. She attended many "Finn Fests" across the US throughout the years. She began researching her family tree in 1978, that led to near obsession. Her extensive research into her family history led her to a 2 week visit to Norway in 1982 with her daughter Karen, and another 6 weeks in 1984 with husband Leo Brown. Marj volunteered many years at the Bend, LDS genealogy library; she also volunteered her research skills to anyone that would ask, never asking for compensation for her time. You were never a stranger to Marj. She knew everyone. If she didn't know you when she met you, she knew you when you left. She could find something about you that was common, someone you knew or were related to that she knew. That was her gift! Talking to people. The residents that lived in the assisted living facility all said what a joy she was to have around. Always smiling and greeting everyone. Young or old, rich or poor, any race, any place, she found joy in talking to all people! She was truly one of God's blessed ambassadors and will be missed terribly. Viewing Friday, October 7, 2022. 5:00-7:30 at Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home Funeral service Saturday, October 8, 2022, @ 10:30, Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church. 62612 Hamby Rd, Bend, Internment: Willamette National Cemetery Portland, OR Officiating: Gary Carnahan, and Dan Dillard, Pastor Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Marj's name to the charity of your choice.

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Marjorie Ann Brown

July 27, 1929 - September 11, 2022