Brown, Nettie Labun Penner (1907-2003)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2003 Nov. 14 p. 28

Birth date: 1907 Nov 14

text of obituary:

NETTIE LABUN BROWN

Nettie Labun Brown died Aug. 12 in Winkler, Man.. She was born Nov. 14, 1907 in Herbert, Sask. When she was 16 her grandmother, mother and one sister died in a typhoid epidemic. She took teacher's training and taught in the Herbert and Winkler areas. She married Gerhard (George) Labun in August 1930. They began farming in 1937 in Gnadenthal, Marquette and Roland. In 1957 they both returned to teaching, working in Indian day schools in Libau, Man. and in northern B.C. In 1969 they retired and attended Prairie Bible Institute, Three Hills, Alta., then worked with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Oaxaca, Mexico. Son Clarence died in 1931; George died in 1973 after they had moved back to Winkler. Nettie worked with Mailbox Club of Child Evangelism Fellowship and was chair of the Missions-schwesternverein at Winkler MB Church. She married widower Frank Brown. He died in January 2002. She moved into Salem Home in June 2002. Nettie was a devoted wife and mother. She had a wry humour and loved to teach children. Her strong faith carried her through many hardships and gave her joy. Predeceased by husbands George and Frank; son Clarence; she is mourned by daughters Lenora Suss, Steinbach; Evelyn Labun, Grand Forks, ND.; sons Arthur and Albert of Winnipeg; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; Frank's children Helen Janzen and Dorothy Enns and their families. The funeral was Aug. 17 in Winkler MB Church.