HUTCHINSON — Ella B. Brown, 91, of Hutchinson died Dec. 17 at Hospice House in Hutchinson. Born Nov. 21, 1919, on a farm near Buhler, she was the daughter of Peter W. and Anna Siemens Balzer. She graduated from Buhler High School in 1938 and attended Bethel College for two years, obtaining her teaching certificate. She taught school for one year before marrying Henry S. Brown on June 6, 1941. They lived in the Partridge community, where she was a homemaker. They had a farming and dairy operation. Upon retirement she moved to Hutchinson, and volunteered at the Et Cetera Shop and Hutchinson Public Library.

Survivors include two sons, Phillip Brown and wife Joan of Cleveland, Tenn., and Charles Brown and wife Susan of Great Bend; a daughter, Peggy Ann MacArthur and husband Dr. Robert of Salem, Ore.; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry, who died Feb. 6, 1988; her parents; a brother Carl Balzer; and sister Ruby Ratzlaff.

Cremation has taken place. A private family inurnment service will be held at the Partridge Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at the Partridge Community Church at 11 a.m. today with the Rev. R. Samuel Askew presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Partridge Community Church or Hospice and Homecare of Reno County, sent in care of the mortuary. Friends may visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a condolence for the family.