Margaret Brown

Mary "Margaret" Brown, 99, Bismarck, died June 9, 2013, at Sanford Health St. Vincent's Continuing Care Center, Bismarck. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 am Friday, June 14, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, with Rev. Nick Schneider officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm Thursday, June 13, at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a rosary/vigil will begin at 7:00 pm. Mary Margaret was born April 30, 1914, on a ranch in Harding Co, SD, to Virgil and Eva Delight Wilson Arnett. She was educated in a country school in Harding Co., and later stayed with families in Rhame, ND, while she attended high school. Margaret graduated from Rhame High School in 1928, then moved to Bismarck in 1932 for nurses training. She graduated as a registered nurse from St. Alexius Nursing School in 1936. Margaret married Henry "Hank" T. Brown on February 3, 1936, in Bismarck. They lived in Louisiana, Alabama, and Colorado Springs, CO, while Hank was in the National Guard. They returned to Bismarck in 1957, and after taking a refresher course in nursing, Margaret began her employment with St. Alexius Hospital in the Psychiatry Wing. She worked for both the hospital and Mid-Dakota Clinic from 1962 until her retirement in 1985. She loved her nursing career, which began as a young child when she was in charge of taking care of the sick little lambs, cats, and other farm animals. It was her life-long plan to be a nurse. Margaret was recognized with merit certificates for her dedication, devotion to and special care of the sick. The deep affection she showed her patients resulted from her philosophy of helping other people and giving of herself. Margaret was a charter member of Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church and was an Altar Society member. She belonged to Current Events Club, Golden "K" Kiwanis, Elks Auxiliary, 164th Infantry Association, and was a life-member of National Guard Association. She was also involved with St. Alexius Auxiliary and a volunteer on the membership committee. Margaret enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and working on counted cross-stick projects. Margaret is deeply loved by her family. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Marlene and Richard Peck, Bismarck; her two sons and daughter-in-law, Henry "Tom" and Elaine Brown, Colorado Springs, CO, and Patrick J. Brown, Fargo; her 12 grandchildren, Sean Peck and Esther Jangula, Shannon Peck, Ryan Peck and Therese Gibbons, Erin Peck, Megan Peck and Richard Rieger and granddaughter-in-law, Lori Kocher Peck, Tim Brown, Casey and Dawn Brown, Michaelyn and Brian Wood, Kristen and Tom Thor, Sara and Mark Trokan, and Lindsay and Nick Landry; 26 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; and many very close friends. She once stated, "if you don't have friends, you don't have anything." Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Hank, who died in Bismarck on June 29, 1966; her infant son, Michael Jon; her grandson, Patrick Peck;; her daughter-in-law, Susan Stenehjem Brown; her parents; and her brother and sister-in-law, Max and Vera Arnett.

Margaret Brown

April 30, 1914 - June 9, 2013