Luella "Lu" Brown

Luella Brown died on March 28, 2025 surrounded by family. She was 94. Luella “Lu” Mae Brown was born in Pine Creek, Peterson, to Marvin and Mabel (Halvorson) Hatlevig. After completing the 8th grade, she left school to help on the family farm. On March 6, 1948, Lu married Robert “Bob” Brown. Together they built a life rooted in hard work, love, and shared adventures. Lu was a farmer, logger, homemaker, woodworker, camper, bowler, gardener, seamstress, baker, cook, and angler. She was never one to sit still. In retirement, she and Bob traveled the country by RV. She had a soft spot for animals—especially her farm cats, who she fed each day. A woman of faith and values, Luella ensured her children attended Sunday school and church weekly. She also passed on her love of gardening and fishing. Family meant everything to Lu. She stayed connected with her loved ones, sending hand-signed cards every holiday and birthday. Whether chatting with neighbors or catching up with family on the phone, she had a way of lingering lovingly in her goodbyes, never rushing to hang up. Luella’s kindness, devotion, and care for others left a lasting mark. Luella is survived by her children, Betty (Lyle Hinrichs) Olson of Zumbrota, Ronda (Mike) McLaughlin of Bonita Springs Florida, Wendy (Mark Kraetsch) Overland of Hayfield, Rick (Kelly) Brown of Lanesboro, her sister Kathleen Hallum, her 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Bev Boyum, brothers Allan Hatlevig and Ronald Hatlevig, her husband Bob, and her daughter Linda. A funeral will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 11 am, at North Prairie Lutheran Church, with visitation starting at 9 am. A graveside service will be held immediately after the service where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Bob.