ELDA BROWN

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Elda Brown, age 83, resident of Topeka, Kan., died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009.

Elda Genetti was born April 27, 1925, at Superior, Wyo., the daughter of Enrico and Caterina Cologna Genetti, one year after her mother married and moved to the United States from Castlefondo, Italy.

Elda grew up in LaBarge, Wyo., attended Wasatch Academy, Mt. Pleasant, Utah, and graduated from Kemmer, Wyoming High School.

She managed the family business until she met the love of her life, John W. Brown. After a brief courtship, they were married Sept. 21, 1947, in his parent's home near Galesburg, Kan.

They began farming near Hiattville, Kan., in 1954.

Elda was a life member of the Hiattville United Methodist Church. In the late 1950's, she traveled southeastern Kansas to have churches work for racial justice and equality. She offered hospitality readily to friends and family. She was a 4-H leader, a United Methodist Woman and a past president of the women's auxiliary of the Kansas Soil Conservation Districts.

She moved to Aldersgate Village in Topeka in 2004 and became an active member of that community. She was an associate member of Crestview united Methodist Church while in Topeka.

Elda is survived by her daughters: Eva Brown, Topeka; and Margaret Bender and husband Duane, McPherson, Kan.; a son: Joe Brown and wife Rebecca, Augusta, Kan.; and four grandchildren, Catherine Bender, Shawnee, Kan.; Nathan Brown and wife Jesica, Kansas City, Kan.; Kevin Brown, Wichita, Kan.; and Ella Brown Richards, Topeka.

Also surviving is one brother, Rudy Genetti, Sonoma, Calif.

She was preceded in death by both parents, her infant brother, William and her husband, John.

Memorial Services will be held Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009 at 3:30 p.m., at Wesley Hall of Aldersgate Village, Topeka, Kan

Visitation will be held Thursday, Feb. 12, from 12 to 2 p.m. at the Hiattville, Kan. United Methodist Church with graveside services following at 2:30 p.m. in U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott.

Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kan.

Memorials are suggested to either the Hiattville United Methodist Church or the Good Samaritan Fund at Aldersgate Village and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kan., 66701. Words of sympathy may be left for the family at condolences@cheneywitt.com.