Donna Brown

Donna Brown, 87, of Cody, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2021, after a brief illness.

She was born prematurely on December 29, 1933, in Kirby, Wyo., and in order to keep her alive she was put in a shoebox and then placed in a coal stove oven. She and her older sister, Barbara, were raised by their maternal grandparents. The family later moved to Thermopolis and when she was sixteen years old, she began working at Reesy Drug Store at the lunch counter. One day a handsome cowboy came in, sat down and Donna waited on him and soon after they began dating, fell in love, and later married. Donna and George had a double wedding ceremony with her sister Barbara and Landis Webber on December 27, 1951. The wedding was held in the Catholic Church in Thermopolis. At the time of Georges passing in 2013, the two couples had been married 62 years.  

They moved from Thermopolis to the Hoodoo Ranch in 1967. Together they managed and operated the ranch properties for 43 years. Shortly after moving to the ranch, she became a member of St Anthonys Catholic Church, CCW-Catholic Women's Organization, and PEO. She also became a member of Park County Republican Women, where she held several positions including President, 1st vice president, secretary, program/food committees, fund raising committee, just to name a few. Over the years she made many wonderful friends, and was highly respected and loved by all.  

She is survived by their children, son, Don (Linda) Brown of Las Vegas Nev., daughter Mamie (Jim) Knadler of Laramie Wyo., and daughter Mary (Marvin) Haugen of Cody; grandchildren, Mark (Shelley) Musser, Rhys (Kitt) Haugen of Camp Pendleton Calif., Michael (Stacey) Haugen of Cheyenne Wyo., Blake (Amanda) Knadler of Laramie Wyo., Tony (Unique) Brown of Las Vegas Nev., and Afton Brown of Schertz Texas; great grandsons, Forrest (Mallory) Musser of Cody, and Tyler, Carson, and Jacob; great granddaughter, Clara; great great grandsons, Charlie and Calvin, sister, Barbara Webber of Thermopolis; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Donna "Nanny" is preceded in death by her husband George "Poppy" Brown.  

Rosary services were held at the Church of St. Anthony on Wednesday, November 17. Memorial mass will be at the church on Thursday, November 18 at 11 a.m. Condolences can be sent on Donna's memorial page at http://www.BallardFH.com