Iris Brown

Iris Lorraine Brown, 79, born on the family farm near New Rockford, North Dakota on Feb 22, 1931, died in Longview, Wa on August 27, 2010. She was the youngest of 7 children. Born to parents Frank and Bertha Stenberg, Iris spent her early years on the family wheat farm before her family moved to Portland, Oregon to work in the war production, where she attended Roosevelt High School. Following her graduation she married her high school love Bert Bergman. They moved to the Long Beach Peninsula in 1950 and later to Chinook where she resided for 50 years until her death. A fishing tragedy in 1961 made her a widow; she later married Ray Wilton who preceded her in death in 1972. In 1977 she wed Edward Brown who resides at their home in Chinook. Iris worked at Keystone Cannery, Chinook Packing Co and later attended Grays Harbor College receiving a nursing degree; she also met her husband Ed Brown while in Aberdeen. She later worked for Dr. John Campiche she also ran Long's Long Life Worm Farm and she also worked at Ocean Beach Hospital and managed Brown's Chinook Construction until her retirement. She had a great love of the outdoors, hunting, clamming, fishing, enjoyed collecting mushrooms and gardening. Indoor hobbies including sewing, knitting, and she was a voracious reader and was active with friends and family. Her love of animals added many pets to her life. Throughout her life she possessed a keen sense of compassion and a can-do spirit under incredible adversity. Preceding her in death sisters Elva Knutson of Portland, Eva Brown of Portland, Gladys Killian of Chinook and brothers Stan Stenberg of North Pole Alaska, Willard Stenberg of Portland, and Leroy Stenberg of Portland. She was also preceded in death by her son, Paul Bergman. Survivors include husband Ed Brown of Chinook. Brother Roger Stenberg of Olympia, WA. Daughter, Paula (Mike) Cochran of Longview and son Bert (Marietta) Bergman of Port Townsend WA. Grandchildren Otto Bergman of Chinook, Sarah (Bergman) Perry of Port Angeles, Bert Bergman of Sitka and numerous great grandchildren and nephews and nieces. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, September 1 at 1:00 pm at the Chinook Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers contribution can be made to Community Home Health and Hospice in Longview, Wa. Arrangements entrusted to Penttila's Capel by The Sea, Long Beach, WA.