Margaret Marie Edgerton Brown

Brown, Margaret E.

Margaret Marie Edgerton Brown, age 83, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 6, 2007. Marge was born in Allegan, MI on November 2, 1923, daughter of Milton and Jennie (Liberty) Edgerton. She served in the Nursing Cadet Corp during WWII. In 1945, she received a nursing degree from Bronson Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, Western Michigan University and began her career assisting in surgery. On June 25, 1949, she married Lawrence H. Brown, with whom she remained a sole mate until his death last year. She served as a Community Nurse in Phoenixville, PA in 1966 before relocating to Appleton in 1971. She joined the Operating Room staff at Appleton Memorial Hospital in 1971 where she rose to the position of Manager of O.R.; a post she maintained until her retirement in 1987.
Marge is known to many in the area for the lives she has touched through her many volunteer and social activities. Her volunteer efforts spanned many organizations: Mosquito Hill Nature Center, Highlands Elementary School reading mentoring, Appleton Medical Center Auxiliary, the Community Blood Center, and The First United Methodist Church. She founded the Powderhorn Knoll Garden Club in Valley Forge and was exhibited at the Philadelphia Flower Show. One of her proudest achievements came in 1998 when she walked every one of the 235 miles on the Military Road across Wisconsin to celebrate Wisconsin’s sesquicentennial. She went on to share the experience through her slide show with schoolchildren in the area for years thereafter. She is an active member of the Board of Directors for Valley Packaging Industries, Inc. and is the current President of the Delphian Book Club.
Consistent with the roots of her Michigan farming upbringing, Marge had a love for the outdoors and enjoyed hiking, camping, fishing, and cottage life at “the river”. She was talented with a fishing rod though careful to ensure that her fishing companion limited first. She loved sport but preferred playing to watching. Marge’s competitive spirit flourished on the tennis courts at Fox Cities Racquet Club and Club West making it to the USTA Regional in Kalamazoo on several occasions. She was also involved in numerous golf leagues and enjoyed her “Girls Nights Out” with the Bunco group. Her sense of adventure included traveling to faraway places like Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the Fiji Islands, Hawaii, Alaska, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Marge is survived by her three daughters: Sally Brown, Georgia Brown and Peggy Brown; two sons: Larry (Kathy) Brown and Bruce Brown; four grandchildren: Christopher Brown, Taylor, Derek, and Greta Brown; and her Newfoundland dog, Molly.
Marge is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Larry.
A memorial service for Marge will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 11, 2007, at the FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, corner of Franklin and Drew Streets, with Pastor Grace Cajiuat officiating. Friends may call at the church from 10 a.m. Monday, until the time of the service. A lunch celebration will follow the service. In lieu of flowers and other expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made in Marge’s memory to Valley Packaging Industries Inc, 2730 Roemer Road, Appleton, WI, 54915; an organization she was very proud to be associated with.
The world is a less pleasant place with the loss of Marge as she made any surrounding vibrant with her presence.

“It’s up to me, if it’s to be. Look forward to tomorrow”
Handwritten note on Marge’s refrigerator

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 North Superior Street
Appleton 920-739-1231
www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com