Doris (Blair) Brown, 91, formerly of Paw Paw, died November 2nd, 2023 in Ames, Iowa. A memorial service will be held Sunday, September 1st, 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Paw Paw with Brown family members and friends in the community. The family will greet guests at a Visitation from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the church.
Doris was born June 16th, 1932, in Fairfield, Iowa to Hazel (Miksch) and Verl Blair. She graduated from Fairfield High School and Iowa State University in Ames where she was crowned Homecoming Queen in 1951. Doris met her future husband soon after Homecoming festivities and she passed away during Homecoming Week 2023, perfect timing as she entered her eternal home.
After college graduation in 1954, she married Wayne Brown, DVM. Doris taught Home Economics and English in Maxwell, Iowa prior to moving to Orion, Ill. when Dr. Brown joined a veterinary practice near Moline. In 1957, the Browns moved with their two boys to Macon, Ga. as Wayne served in the U.S. Air Force.
In 1959, Doris and Wayne moved to Paw Paw where two girls soon joined the family. Doris and Wayne were involved in the community as they started the Paw Paw Veterinary Clinic and later established the Tri-County Veterinary Service in Earlville where Doris helped in the clinic. In 1982, Doris and Wayne led the Paw Paw Centennial Committee, and they authored One Hundred Years of Veterinary Medicine in Illinois, a pictorial history book with stories.
Doris was active in the American Veterinary Medical Assoc. Auxiliary serving as editor of VET SET magazine in the Illinois Auxiliary chapter. She was a member of P.E.O., a national philanthropic and educational group, Collegiate Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church of Paw Paw, and Indian Oaks Country Club in Shabbona.
One of her greatest joys was connecting with wonderful friends and families in Illinois and Iowa. Doris loved to initiate gatherings with a seasonal theme, and she had a job suggestion for everyone including family members. She enjoyed socializing during competitive golf and bridge games. Doris cherished her marriage to Wayne for 61 years.
Doris is survived by her four children, Bryan (Linda) Brown of St. Louis, Mo., Bruce (Barbara) Stewart-Brown of Boulder, Colo., Gayle (Tyler Holck) Brown of Gilbert, Iowa, and Diane (Mark) Ditman of Sugar Land, Texas; eight grandchildren, Elaine (Gregg) Bauer of St. Louis, Jaime (Jonathan Graessle) Ditman of Jacksonville, Fla., Ben (Emily) Stewart-Brown of Boulder, Matt (Lizzie) Ditman of Missouri City, Texas; Lauren Stewart-Brown of Seattle, Wash., Blair (Jack) Sanders of Ames, Johanna (Ryan) Jolivette of Ames, and Garrison Holck of Miami, Fla.; five great-grandchildren; and sister, Joyce Stanley of Fairfield. Doris was preceded in death by her parents, husband Wayne, and sister Marilyn. Doris’s sister Dixie followed her in death.
Information about the September 1st memorial service in Paw Paw will be posted at www.tormanfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Paw Paw, or the Doris and Wayne Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Visit Iowa State Foundation to contribute to the veterinary student scholarship fund in honor of Doris and Wayne Brown.
