Joann Brown

Joann A. Brown age 95, of Sleepy Eye, formerly of Sanborn, MN died on June 12th, 2020 at the Sleepy Eye Care Center.

Funeral Service will be held at the Zion Lutheran Church, Sanborn on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at 11:00 am.

Visitation will be on Wednesday from 9:30 to 11:00 am at the church.

The clergy will be Pastor Chris Cordes.

Interment will be at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Sanborn.

Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

In lieu of flowers the family would prefer memorials be made to Country Side Apartments, Sleepy Eye Care Center, St.John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye, New Ulm Hospice or Zion Luther Church, Sanborn.

Joann was born on September 6, 1924 in Sanborn, MN to Hugo & Elsie (Kosel) Yackel. She attended Sanborn High School, graduating in 1942. Joann married Ivan Brown on March 7, 1943 at Zion Lutheran Church in Sanborn. They farmed until 1977. She cooked at the Roost from 1979-1987 and also cooked at Sanborn Cafe and the golf course in Sanborn. She worked at the Lamberton Nursing Home for 3 years and Coleman Powermate in Springfield for 6 years cleaning with Ivan. Joann enjoyed cooking, canning, baking cookies and pies, playing cards, gardening and flowers, old time music and spending time with her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Phyllis Wersal of Nevada City, CA, Sydney (Millie) Brown of Sanborn, Julie (Brian) Cook of Sleepy Eye, grandchildren, Greg Wersal, Nina Sanford, Tina Kastner, Matt Brown, Sara Connelly, Caleb Brown, Becky Peterson, B.J. Cook, Drew Cook, 18 great-grandchildren, 13 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan in 2001, son-in-law, Lenny Wersal and siblings, Marian Essig Gene Yackel, Donald Yackel, Leslie Yackel and Marvelle Ritchey.