Eleanor Ann “Ellie” Brown, 81, of De Soto died Jan. 11, 2025, at Cedarhurst of Arnold. Mrs. Brown graduated from Ritenour High School in Overland and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She worked for Southern Comfort of St. Louis, Southside Family Practice of St. Louis, Deaconess Hospital of St. Louis and ended her working career at Covenant Theological Seminary in Ladue, where she served as the financial aid director and as the registrar. She loved working and serving the students. She retired and then managed the Paradise Valley Resort in Cassville for two years following retirement. Strong in her faith, she was a member of the First Baptist Church of De Soto. She was a former member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Kirk of the Hills in Ladue and Viola Baptist Church of Viola. Born Dec. 5, 1943, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late William and LaVerne (Miller) Viehman.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Norman Gerald Brown.
She is survived by three children: John Jepsen Jr. of De Soto, Janet L. (Robbie) Hahn of Bonne Terre and Melissa A. (Herb) Hahn of De Soto; two siblings: Susan (Lawrence) Clark of Chesterfield and Wilma (Guy) Lewis of Monett; a brother-in-law: Steve Wise of Monett; five grandchildren: Amanda (Jeremy) Wandling, Krystal Basler, Samantha Hahn, Jared (Victoria) Hahn and Travis (Michala) Hahn; nine great-grandchildren: Eleanor, Loralye, Stella, Parker, Jaxson, Oaklee, Tiffany, Wyatt and Lylah; many nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins.
She also was preceded in death by a son: Matthew W. Jepsen; and a sister: Alice M. Wise.
A memorial gathering is scheduled from 9 a.m. until a memorial service at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17, at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home, 220 N. Main, in De Soto, officiated by the Rev. Gene Smith. Inurnment will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery in De Soto. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home.