Karol Kay Brown
October 1, 1944 — June 6, 2024
Karol Kay Brown, 79, of Covington, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids, after a lengthy illness. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids, with a visitation one hour prior. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the funeral home website tribute page for Karol, under “photos and videos or media,” starting at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.
Karol was born in Colesburg, Iowa, on October 1, 1944, the daughter of Dale and Naomi (Hansel) Garlow. She graduated from EdCo High School, Class of 1963. Karol was united in marriage to Steve Brown on June 11, 1977. She worked for ERTL Toys in Dubuque before relocating to Cedar Rapids, where she joined Mid-Continent Bottlers and dedicated 40 years until her retirement. Karol enjoyed league bowling, yardwork, and tending to her flower garden. She also had a passion for canning, cooking, and baking, especially when it came to making sweets. Karol was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who cherished time with her family, camping trips, and her beloved animals.
Karol is survived by her husband of 46 years, Steve Brown; her sons, Mike (Kim) Ward, Corey (Christi) Brown, Chad (Valerie) Brown, Steve Brown, and Glen Brown; 18 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and sister, Ann Conrad.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Naomi Garlow; brothers, Butch, Bob, Larry, and Dave; daughter-in-law, Laura Brown; grandsons, Braden Brown and Nathan Sisco.
Karol was born in Colesburg, Iowa, on October 1, 1944, the daughter of Dale and Naomi (Hansel) Garlow. She graduated from EdCo High School, Class of 1963. Karol was united in marriage to Steve Brown on June 11, 1977. She worked for ERTL Toys in Dubuque before relocating to Cedar Rapids, where she joined Mid-Continent Bottlers and dedicated 40 years until her retirement. Karol enjoyed league bowling, yardwork, and tending to her flower garden. She also had a passion for canning, cooking, and baking, especially when it came to making sweets. Karol was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who cherished time with her family, camping trips, and her beloved animals.
Karol is survived by her husband of 46 years, Steve Brown; her sons, Mike (Kim) Ward, Corey (Christi) Brown, Chad (Valerie) Brown, Steve Brown, and Glen Brown; 18 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and sister, Ann Conrad.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Naomi Garlow; brothers, Butch, Bob, Larry, and Dave; daughter-in-law, Laura Brown; grandsons, Braden Brown and Nathan Sisco.
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