Janis Brown

Janis Brown was born December 7, 1938, at her home in rural Lucas Co., to Robert & Esther (Blankenburg) Hixson. She was the 2nd oldest of nine children, and spent her childhood in rural Lucas Co.

She attended country school at Center and Rabbit Ridge. Moved to Corydon when she was in the 7th grade, then graduated with the class of "57".

Janis married Donald "Wimpy" Brown January 3, 1959 in Princeton, MO. Jan & Wimpy set up house keeping in Chariton, IA & were blessed with a son, Phillip Wayne, July 3 1959. then moved to Ottumwa, IA and on October 8, 1961 added a daughter, Tamela Dawn, to the family.

The family returned to Chariton in April 1965 and remained here through retirement.

Jan worked as a waitress and cook at several restaurants until she opened "Jan's Diner" in Chariton in 1971 and operated it through 1978, she then took employment running the Hy-Vee warehouse cafeteria and break-rooms, retiring in 2002. Jan served thousands of meals to many happy customers and friends.

She enjoyed her membership with the unique ladies of "The Yakkity Yak Club" and was one of the founding members.

Genealogy was a passion and she spent many hours as a volunteer at the library doing research for herself and others.

Her favorite pastime was watching her grandchildren participating in sports, where everyone knew her as "Grandma Jan" and gave her, her favorite spot to sit.

She enjoyed life fully, with her grandkids, great-grandkids, nieces, nephews and all their friends.

Her door was always open, listening to problems and achievements and offering advice when needed. She will be missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Bob & Esther, in-laws Earl & Opal Brown and son, Phillip. She is survived by, her husband Donald "Wimpy" Brown, daughter Tammy (Brian) Snuggs of Chariton, grandchildren; Chelsey (Joe) Rozendaal of Ottumwa, Katelynn Snuggs of Chariton, Granville "Buddy" Snuggs of Camp Casey, S. Korea, and Emma Snuggs of Sacramento CA., great-grandchildren; Michael Hunsaker , Rylee and Lydia Rozendaal, siblings; Don (Jean) Hixson, Maggie (Dean) Malone, Bob (Sharon) Hixson, Sharon (Kevin) Meresh, Lavonna Hixson, Donna (Larry Foster) Hixson, Ronnie (Sonya) Hixson, Diane (Gary) Webster and " Special Brother" Duane Ansley. Brother-in-law; Earl Brown Jr., sister-in-law; Edna Morison, many nieces, nephews, cousins and a wide host of friends.

Memorial to the family will be distributed to Jan's favorite local charities.

Services were held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 13, 2010, at Fielding Funeral Home.

Family met with friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, February 12, 2010.

Interment is in the Chariton Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Granville Snuggs, Joe Rozendaal, Keegan Rocha, Andy McNeish, Kevin King and Grant Webster. Honorary Pallbearers were the Yakkity Yak Club.

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