Judith Jane Brown

Judith Jane Brown was born in Clive, Iowa on October 26, 1940 to Corvus Clyde and Ada Marie (Viers) West. She attended Valley High School in West Des Moines and married Larry G. Porter and later married Ernest Weitz Brown. Judith is survived by her children, Lory Aleman; Cynthia (Russ) Keating; Todd (Lori) Brown all of Winterset; a sister, Jean (Bill) Buchanan of Dallas, TX; a brother, Larry (Sheryl) West of Ankeny; seven grandchildren, Jonathon Aleman (Haley), Cody Brown, Nicolas Aleman, Hunter Brown, Justin Keating, Samuel Keating and Rachel Brown; and one great grandson, Harper Aleman. She was preceded in death by her parents. Judith was a wonderful mother and spent much of her time raising her children and loving her grandchildren. She was a very creative woman who had an entrepreneur spirit which dominated her personality. She founded two businesses which were Brown Bags, a southwestern import store in Des Moines, as well as the Summerset House Bed 'n Breakfast & Tea Room in Winterset. She was a member of the Junior League, the Des Moines Art Center, serving on the board and volunteering for many events, and donated much time to the Iowa Runaway Services. She was also a member of the Madison County Antique Club, Progressive Club and Lion's Club all of Winterset. Judith was very community minded, volunteering for many community events and entertaining many small or large social gatherings. She loved to entertain and host company in her home so she could cook for them and show off her flare for design, which in her home, changed frequently. Judith died Thursday, October 8, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. She was 68. Visitation: 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 12, 2009 at Ochiltree Funeral Service & Aftercare. Service: Memorial contributions may be directed to the family. Memorial: 1:00 to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, with family present to receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., October 11, 2009 at Ochiltree Funeral Service & Aftercare.