Karen Elaine Brown

Karen Brown, born on Oct. 12, 1948, passed away in a Spokane hospital on Aug. 3, 2011 after a brief illness.

Karen was a member of a family deeply rooted in Cheney. Her great grandfather Abel Brown settled in Cheney in 1882. He served as the deputy sheriff and established a livery stable, which serviced wagon trains passing through as well as local farmers. Karen's grandfather George Brown, along with his brothers-in-law Norman and Martin Holter, worked in the livery stable and transformed it into the Brown and Holter Chevrolet automobile dealership in 1922 as horses were replaced by cars. Karen was the daughter of Mary and George (Nolan) Brown. Nolan took over the Chevrolet dealership from his father and remained active in the garage until he passed away. Nolan also was the mayor of Cheney during the 1950s. Karen's older sister Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Brown Williams preceded her in death.

Karen pursued educational interests her entire life. She graduated from Cheney High School and then received both a BA and an MA from Eastern Washington University. She obtained a Ed.D. from Texas Tech University. After completing her degree in Texas, she purchased a home in Cheney (near Nolan Brown Place) where she remained until her death.

Karen very much enjoyed traveling with her sister Betty. She was an avid fan of Star Trek, going to many conventions and collecting Star Trek memorabilia. She studied Native American cultures attending pow wows whenever she could. She recently completed a course in herbal remedies. She loved to swim, particularly at Williams Lake where she could also appreciate the natural world around her.

Karen is survived by her nephew Jay Williams, her niece Kari Williams, several cousins, and her beloved cat Kovu. Details about a memorial service for her will be announced at a later date. Donations in Karen's memory may be made to the Blackhawk Veterinary Hospital in Cheney.