Anita Brown, age 95, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa died Saturday, August 22, 2015 at the Hawkeye Care Center in Sioux Rapids.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids. Burial will follow in the Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids. Visitation will take place Tuesday, August 25, 2015 from 4-7:00 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids. The Sliefert Funeral Home in SIoux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements.

Anita Vernell Natterstad was born March 6, 1920, to Helmer and Lillian (Landsness) Natterstad on a farm southwest of Jackson, Minnesota. She was baptized and later confirmed on October 28, 1934 at Bethany Lutheran Church near Bergen, Minnesota. She spent her childhood years in Minnesota. She entered public school in Bergen at the age of seven. She attended high school in Cornell, Iowa where she graduated on May 10, 1939.

On July 15, 1939, Anita was united in marriage to Martin Marvin Brown in Sioux Rapids. Following their marriage, they briefly lived in Rolla, Missouri and then returned to Iowa, where Martin trucked and Anita was a housewife. Their marriage was blessed with two children: one son, Ronald Lee, and one daughter, Sandra Dee. Martin passed away suddenly in January of 1959, and Anita went to work outside the home at Simonsen Iron Works in Sioux Rapids, along with working at the grocery store. A position at First State Bank in Sioux Rapids led to Anita’s love for working with the public and several more bank teller positions, including one in Spencer and the position at State Bank in Spirit Lake, where she worked until her retirement.

Following retirement, Anita enjoyed traveling to Arizona with her sister, Nelda, every winter. She looked forward to those trips to Arizona. Even though she was retired, she loved a job she found as a tour guide on bus tours. While in Arizona and when she returned home, she enjoyed her hobbies of line dancing, crafting, sewing, playing UNO along with other card games, and riding her three wheel bike. Some of her special projects include her bears (made out of her coats) and her pillowcase dolls made from some of her mom’s pillowcases. She always made sure to share her completed projects.

Anita moved back to Sioux Rapids in 2008, and in September of 2010, she became a resident of Sioux Care Center, where she resided until her passing, at the age of 95 years and 167 days.

Anita cherished her family and friends. Those left to cherish her memories include her son, Ronnie (Gloria) Brown of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; daughter, Sandy Burnett of Spencer, Iowa; six grandchildren: Jody (Scott) Scheiber of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; Janey (Tom) Goodlaxson of Spirit Lake, Iowa; Jill Hamilton of San Diego, California; Jeannette (Andrew) Hasley of Spencer, Iowa; Tim (Mindy) Sylvester of Webb, Iowa; Jason (Tammy) Brown of Spencer, Iowa; thirteen great grandchildren; two great-great granddaughters; nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Anita was preceded in death by her parents; Helmer and Lillian Natterstad; husband, Martin Brown in January of 1959; sister, Nelda Edwards; brother, Wendell Natterstad; sister-in-law, Gladys Natterstad; and son-in-law, Jack Burnett.

Blessed be the memory of Anita Vernell (Natterstad) Brown.

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