Obituary of Gertrude M. Brown

Gertrude M. (Donovan) Brown, 89, of Iowa City, passed away Friday, December 16, 2011 following a long battle with heart disease. A luncheon will be held to celebrate Gertrude's life from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Gertrude's name to Iowa City Hospice. Online condolences may be sent to her family through the web @www.gayandciha.com. Gertrude was born April 19, 1922; daughter of "Lib" and Leo Donovan at Elmira. She attended U-High in Iowa City and Cornell College. She taught at Rosehill School in Johnson County. On December 29, 1942, she married Clyde A. Brown and lived in Cedar Rapids until 1993 when she returned to Iowa City. She worked as a proof reader for the Cedar Rapids Gazette until her retirement in 1987. She also volunteered at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. Gertrude's family includes her three children; Terry Brown of California, Jerri (Dan) Lotempio of Iowa City and Mary Placzek of Cedar Rapids; brother, Ralph Donovan; sister, Ruth Rhoads; grandchildren, Dawn, Jim, Dana, Wayne and James; great-grandchildren, Jesse, Heather, William, Donovan, Matthew, Sera and Brynn as well as many nieces and nephews which she adored. Gertrude's family would like to thank the staff of Briarwood Care Center and Larry of Iowa City Hospice for their care and compassion.