Gloria J. Brown

Gloria Jean (Reefer) Brown, age 83, of Spencer, Iowa, entered into eternal rest on September 29, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.

Funeral services will take place Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids. Burial will be in the Lone Tree Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, October 3, 2025 from 6-8:00 p.m. at the CHURCH. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements. 

Gloria was born on October 21, 1941, in Wesley, Iowa, the daughter of Chris J. Reefer and Gladys E. (O’Rourke) Harriman. She was baptized into the Lutheran faith and later confirmed at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sioux City on May 20, 1956. Her childhood years were spent in Sioux City until her family relocated to Algona, where she graduated with the Algona High School Class of 1960. During her school years, Gloria worked at Honsbruch Drug for Dutch Honsbruch an experience she remembered fondly. After high school, she continued her education at Mankato Commercial College, earning an associate degree in business.

On October 15, 1961, Gloria was united in marriage to the love of her life, Ronald Lee Brown, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona. Their marriage of nearly 64 years was a testament to love, devotion, and teamwork. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, and farming, and were blessed with three children: Jody, Jeannette, and Jason.

Gloria embraced the role of farm wife with dedication, working beside Ronnie in the fields and barns while maintaining a warm and welcoming home. She was known for preparing hearty lunches for the farm crew, baking special treats, and keeping the household running with care. Ronnie often remarked that they made “quite the team,” a truth reflected in both their work and their love for one another.

In 1995, Ronnie and Gloria moved from the farm near Rembrandt to their new home in Sioux Rapids. Together they began the next chapter of their lives by opening the old Rembrandt Gym Auction House in Rembrandt, Iowa. Ronnie served as the auctioneer, while Gloria took great pride in clerking for the auction company. They loved the auction company not only for the career it provided, but also for the social aspect, cherishing the opportunity to meet and visit with so many people in the community and beyond. Just as they had on the farm, the two worked side by side with unwavering dedication, and Ronnie often remarked that they truly made an excellent team. After many fulfilling years, both Ronnie and Gloria retired from the auction house in November of 2019. This allowed her even more time to spend with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who she cherished deeply. 

Her impact extended well beyond the farm and auction house. Gloria gave generously of her time and talents to the community, serving in organizations such as 4-H, Community Clubs including Cooperative Hands in Community Service (CHICS), the Red Hat Society, and the Ladies of the Eastern Star Chapter 309. Her faith was the foundation of her life, and she was a devoted member of First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids. There, she taught Sunday School for 15 years, served on church council, and helped prepare countless church dinners—always ensuring no one left hungry.

Gloria also delighted in personal hobbies that brought joy to her family and friends. She loved baking, cooking, gardening, and sewing, continually creating comfort and beauty in her home. Later in life, she extended her love of cooking to the wider community through her work at the Main Street Diner, where she cherished both preparing meals and sharing fellowship with neighbors and visitors alike.

Those who knew Gloria will remember her as a woman of kindness, hospitality, and steadfast faith. Her legacy is one of service, generosity, and unconditional love. She touched countless lives and leaves behind a family deeply proud of the life she lived.

Gloria is survived by her spouse of almost 64 years, Ronald Lee Brown of Spencer, Iowa; her children, Jody (Scott) Scheiber of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; Jeannette (Andrew) Hasley of Spencer, Iowa; and Jason (Tammy) Brown of Spencer, Iowa; her grandchildren, Nicole (Brad) Greene of Webb, Iowa; Brady (Jenna) Scheiber of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; Tyler (Ashley) Herrig of Greenville, Iowa; Courtney (Jake) DeLoss of Spencer, Iowa; Molly (Johannes) Alvarez-Romero of Chicago, Illinois; Abbie Brown of Ankeny, Iowa; and Albany Brown of Ankeny, Iowa; and her great-grandchildren, Paisley, Paxton, and Portlyn Greene of Webb, Iowa; Berkley, Bristol, and Brexton Scheiber of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; Henry and Ida Herrig of Greenville, Iowa; Sadie, Jack, Ford, Walt, and soon-to-arrive Baby DeLoss of Spencer, Iowa. She is also survived by her brother, James (Nova) Reefer of Algona, Iowa, and her sister, Cindy (Gary) Axdahl of Linn Grove, Iowa, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family, and a multitude of dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Chris Reefer and Gladys (Bill) Harriman; her parents-in-law, Anita and Martin Brown; her brother, Shawn Harriman; her sister, Sharon Fridolfson; her nephews, Steven Fridolfson and Rocky Fridolfson; her sister-in-law: Sandra Burnett; and her brother-in-law, Tom Fridolfson.

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