Josephine "Jo" Ann Brown

Jo was born in Morris, MN. She was the youngest of five children of Minnie and Carl Otto Schmidt. For her entire life, Jo was proud of her family, proud of her German heritage, and proud to say that she was from Minnesota. She was raised on the family farm, and she worked after school in the movie theater in Morris during her teen years. With a taste for adventure, she moved to Los Angeles, CA, in her early twenties and briefly worked there on her own. She then met and married Lonnie Brown, Jr., a union that lasted 64 years. They raised two sons. Jo and Lonnie faithfully attended their sons’ childhood events, made sure both went to college, and took great pride in their adult accomplishments. The family moved several times, landing longest in Gillette, WY, where Jo and Lonnie each worked for

different mining companies. They both worked hard enough to retire early, another point of pride, and were then able to spend many of their golden years enjoying RV travel and the snowbird lifestyle—wintering in the home they built in Dewey, AZ, and summering in Rapid City, SD.

Jo moved to Billings, MT, after her husband passed away. Her family is deeply grateful to the friends in Arizona who helped Jo during that difficult time. They are likewise grateful to those at St. John’s United-Wyndstone, who welcomed Jo graciously to Montana; and to the many Synergy caregivers who appreciated her spirit, respected her dignity, and surrounded her with kindness. Lastly, a heartfelt thanks to RiverStone Hospice who supported Jo and her family during Jo’s last days.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Lonnie Jr.; and her siblings Florence, Eldon, and Wally. She is survived by her elder sister Harriet; sons Lonnie III (Heather) and

Jeffery (Kimberly); and grandchildren Nicholas, Elena, and Eva.

In accordance with Jo’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Her ashes will be interred alongside those of her husband, at the Yellowstone National Cemetery in Laurel, MT.