Grace A. Brown

Grace Ann Brown, 87, of Onalaska, WI passed peacefully on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and with the love of her family by her side.

Grace was born February 3, 1938 to Joseph and Grace (Teasdale) Stephans of La Crosse, WI, and was the youngest of 11 children. She attended Logan High School and after graduation, attended Western Wisconsin Technical College (Institute).

After her schooling was complete, Grace worked as an Executive Secretary for Trane Company in La Crosse. During her time in the workforce, Grace spent twelve of those years functioning as a single mother supporting two children at a time when single mothers were not a common occurrence. Grace worked hard and sacrificed many things to provide for her children. Eventually Grace was rewarded for her sacrifice by connecting with and eventually marrying the love of her life, Robert Brown, on November 23, 1977. Bob and Grace enjoyed 38 wonderful years together, with a special love for doting on their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, especially after Bob retired in 1991, and Grace retired in 1997.

Grace was very involved with serving in many capacities at Temple Baptist Church in La Crosse. She played piano, sang in the choir, sang solos and duets, and taught Sunday School for a time. She loved her church and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Surviving her is her son, Mark Osley of Plano, TX.; two stepsons, Jeff Brown of Silvis, IL, and Scott (Kim) Brown of Poynette, WI; a brother, Clark Stephans of Holmen; a sister, Marie of Plano, TX; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grand children. A special note of thanks to her niece, Linda (Puschell) Griebenow, who loved and cared for Grace when needed, even though she lived more than an hour away.

Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Brown; daughter, Jane (Osley) Morrison; parents Joseph and Grace (Teasdale) Stephans, 4 brothers, and 4 sisters.

There will be a visitation held for Grace at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 30th. Funeral Services will be held at Temple Baptist Church, 1326 N. Salem Rd., La Crosse, at 10 a.m. on May 31st and Pastor Daniel Habegger will officiate. Entombment will follow in the Chapel of Devotion Mausoleum in Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Dementia Society of America, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or Temple Baptist Church.