Clara “Ellen” Brown (nee Fraser) of Hermiston died on Nov. 4, 2021 at Guardian Angels in Hermiston at the age of 92. Her passing occurred after a few weeks at Good Shepherd Hospital, followed by hospice.
Ellen, as she went by in her adult life, was born on Dec. 19, 1928 in Kendrick, Idaho.
Her family moved to nearby Julietta, Idaho after Ellen’s first year of elementary school. She had two brothers, Jim and Elton Fraser, and a sister, Maxine Leonard. In 1942, she and her family moved to Irrigon for her father Kenneth’s work at the Army depot. Her future husband, Robert “Bob” Brown, lived just down the road. Tragically, Ellen’s father Kenneth was killed in 1944 at the Army depot along with five others, while inspecting a bomb igloo.
Ellen graduated from Irrigon High School and then attended Eastern Oregon State College, graduating at the age of 19. She then taught grade school for several years before marrying Bob Brown in 1950. Bob was also a graduate of Eastern Oregon State College and a teacher in Hermiston. They had three children: Vickie, born in 1951, Gary in 1952, and Daryl, born in 1956. Ellen taught mostly at West Park Elementary and Armand Larive Junior High School for many years.
She enjoyed working in her yard and researching family genealogy. She and her husband Bob loved camping and traveling in their RV. They traveled extensively together, visiting numerous state and national parks.
Ellen is survived by daughter, Vickie and son, Daryl, along with daughters-in-law Sue and Peg. She has six grandchildren and two great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 66 years and their son, Gary David Brown.
In lieu of flowers, please consider cards or a donation to cure Alzheimer’s, which claimed her son Gary in 2015.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021 at 2 p.m. at the First Christian Church, Hermiston.
A private burial will be at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Please share memories of Ellen with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
