Arnola Luella Brown

     In Loving Memory of Arnola Luella Brown.  She passed away April 18, 2025, at the age of 88.  Arnola Brown was born July 21, 1936, in Truman, Minnesota.

    Arnola met her husband, Herbert Brown, in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1956. They eventually settled in Mansfield, Ohio in 1960, where they raised their family and built a life grounded in hard work, strong family ties, and decades-long friendships.  Although she spent most of her life in Ohio, Arnola never let go of her Minnesota roots. She was always proud to be from the land of 10,000 lakes. Family vacations and many cold Christmases were spent on the Bock family farm in Puposky, Minnesota, where she returned as often as she could, bringing her children and grandchildren to share in the place she loved so much.

    She was known as “Nolie” to her family in Minnesota and “Arnie” to her many longtime friends in Ohio.  Her Ohio friends were more like an extended family, and together they traveled all across the country, creating memories that spanned decades. She was always ready for a new adventure, especially if there was a casino nearby.

    Mom loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. While she didn’t wear her emotions on her sleeve, there was no mistaking her pride in them. Her face lit up whenever they entered the room, and she never missed an opportunity to spoil them or cook them waffles or big pancakes.

    She had a playful side, she enjoyed scratch-off lottery tickets, bingo, and a good card game, but she was just as happy sitting quietly with her sewing or knitting projects. Sewing for Arnola was a matter of practicality. She made clothes for her family when they needed them, sewed doll clothes for her daughter. Whether with a sewing machine or knitting needles, she had a natural ability to create what was needed with skill and resourcefulness, treating it simply as another way to take care of the people around her.  Arnola led with strength, practicality, and quiet resilience. She wasn’t one to boast, but those who knew her recognized the values she passed on—independence, loyalty, and the importance of showing up when it mattered. Her presence will be deeply missed, and her steady influence will live on in every life she touched.

     Arnola is survived by her daughter, Terri (Henry) Spenard; her grandchildren, Jason (Lavonne) Stumbaugh, Jesse (Brooke) Stumbaugh, and Justin (Lyndsey) Spenard; her great-grandchildren, Caden, Taylor, Kinsley, Skyler, Brie, and Braiden; and her sisters, Florence Wagner and Patricia Bratrud.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert “Herb” Brown; her son, Kenneth Brown; her parents, A. Arnold and Flora Bock; her sister, Anna Lea Rahburg; and her brothers, Kenneth Bock and Donald Bock.

     A Celebration of Life will be held on June 21, 2025 at VFW Post 9943, 806 Grace Street, Mansfield, Ohio 44905.  The service will begin at 1:30 PM with brief words of remembrance from family, followed by an opportunity for others to share memories. Light food and fellowship will follow.

     A life well lived, a legacy well remembered.

    Werner-Gompf Funeral Services, 1106 Park Avenue East, Mansfield, is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. 

Online condolences may be made at www.wernergompf.com

A life well lived, a legacy well remembered.

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