Obituary of Elsie Helena Brown

Elsie Helena Brown passed away at age 97 at Prestige Expressions Assisted Living in Lake Havasu City on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Born to Finnish immigrant parents Aleksandra Wilhemina Maenpaa Siren (1885-1971) and Onni Siren (1888-1958), Elsie grew up on her parent’s small farm in St. Ignace, Michigan. She had one brother, Leonard Siren (1925-2000). She graduated from La Salle High School in 1940. As part of a work-study program, she learned to operate a switchboard at age 16. During World War II, Elsie used her skills as a switchboard operator at Michigan Bell Telephone in Detroit, Michigan and went on as a long-distance operator in both Houston, Texas, and Los Angeles, California. During her years in California, she enrolled in small craft flying lessons. Following the end of the war, and upon his return from the Philippines, Elsie married her high school sweetheart, Claude Richard Brown in 1946.They lived briefly in Detroit, then moved to Florida where son Michael was born in 1948. When Claude reenlisted in the U.S Army, they made their home in Columbia, South Carolina where they welcomed the next two children, Claudia and Pat. After moving back to Michigan, Elsie had three more children; Janice, Beverly and Pamela. While her hands were full raising six children, Elsie still found time to volunteer with the Cub Scouts, Brownies, PTA, taught Sunday School and joined an Art Guild. Her love of painting continued for the next 15 years. As part of her volunteer work at church, she taught herself Braille and learned to hand-punch Sunday School lessons for blind children in India. Elsie also became involved in special education to benefit her youngest child, Pamela, who was born with special needs. In her mid-forties, Elsie returned to work as a switchboard operator at St. Mary’s Hospital in Livonia, Michigan. While there, she became interested in nursing, attended college and earned her LPN degree in 1971. She returned to St, Mary’s to work as a labor and delivery nurse until 1980. She also resumed flying lessons and flew solo for the first time. Like her mother, Elsie was an adventurer. She decided to move to a warmer climate and selected Lake Havasu City. She continued working as a nurse for a number of years at Good Samaritan Hospital and also became active in New Horizons Center, where she served on the board for more than two decades. At the same time, Elsie was very engaged in Special Olympics, traveling to many local and State events with her daughter, Pamela. Well into her eighties, Elsie returned to flying and riding motorcycles with her best friend Hank Opie. She also was a member of three golf leagues in Lake Havasu City. Her most enjoyable times were traveling around the Southwest, photographing and exploring the part of the country she loved so well. Elsie is survived by her six children, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren as well as relatives in the United States and Finland. Her energy, love of life and great sense of humor will be greatly missed. A Memorial Service will be held at Lietz-Franz Funeral Home, 21 Riviera Blvd., Lake Havasu City on Saturday, July 10 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Special Olympics or to New Horizons Center in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Arrangements were entrusted to Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory. Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com To send a FREE card to the family, visit www.sendoutcards/lietzfraze