In Memory of Steve R. Brown

Steven “Steve” R. Brown, age 66, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at his residence of Ida Grove, Iowa. 

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at the OABCIG High School Gymnasium of Ida Grove, Iowa. Rev. Neil Wehmas will officiate. Committal services will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. A Visitation held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at the OABCIG High School Gymnasium of Ida Grove, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Steven Ray Brown, the son of Wayne and Phyllis (Jacobson) Brown, was born on July 29, 1955, in Jefferson, Iowa. He grew up in the rural Bayard, Iowa, area and received his education at Bayard High School graduating with the class of 1973. While in high school Steve was a four-sport athlete and involved in various music ensembles. He went on to attended Morningside College and received his Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and his coaching certification. 

In 1977 Steve began his teaching and coaching career in the Battle Creek CSD which through the course of his employment eventually became the Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove CSD. Steve welcomed small town life in Battle Creek, Iowa. He eventually moved to his forever home in Ida Grove, Iowa. Throughout his career he taught various middle school and high school social studies classes, served as the middle school activities director, and coached a wide range of sports. A highlight of his coaching career that he was most proud of was coaching in the Iowa Girls State Basketball Championships in 2010, 2011 and 2012 in which he was the assistant coach. In 2021 Steve retired from OABCIG after 44 years with the district. He devoted his life to education, whether it was in the classroom or on the playing field. He put his students first and was a true role model for them. 

On June 15, 1985, Steve was united in marriage to the love of his life, Dorothy “Dot” Thornhill. Together they managed the Ida Grove Country Club for many years while Steve continued teaching. Steve and Dot enjoyed decorating their home for Halloween and Christmas. It brought them joy to know how much the little kids liked driving by and seeing the decorations. Steve lost his beloved Dot in 2007. He continued their tradition of decorating for the holidays and he made daily visits to her memorial bench in the park where he would seek solace.

Steve was always one to be active. He played fast and slow pitch softball during his younger years, enjoyed playing basketball as well as refereeing with his son-in-law Mike, loved getting in a round or two of golf, and faithfully attended Morningside University sporting events to cheer on his alma mater. Even in his retirement Steve continued to be the head of the command center for the Herb Irgens wrestling tournament and voice of Falcon football from the press box on Friday nights. He loved taking his dog, Diogi, for daily walks and especially made sure to walk the trail in the morning so he could wave to the students as they were headed up the hill to the high school. 

Steve loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed creating and going on adventures with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren whether it be trips to Adventureland, the zoo, a sporting event, or to Okoboji. He treasured the fact that he got to coach his grandson, Landon, in basketball from his 8^th grade through senior year. Steve will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him. 

Left to cherish his memory include his mother Phyllis Brown of Bayard, IA; children Devi (Mike) Ray of Ida Grove, IA and Damion Nepper (fiancée Robyn Ritchey) of Altoona, IA; grandchildren Colby Nepper (Michael Eason), Gage Nepper, Landon Ray, Chesney Nepper and Chloe Ritchey; great-grandchildren Taytum and Jaxdan Pierson; brother Jerry (Kristie) Brown of Algona, IA; sisters Linda (Rande) Seuferer of Milo, IA and Lori Brown McGivney of Bayard, IA; his faithful walking companion Diogi; nieces, nephews, great-niece, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Wayne Brown and wife Dorothy “Dot” Thornhill Brown.