Roger Henry Brown, 75

Roger Henry Brown of Sedalia, Missouri passed away early Sunday morning, February 28th after a brief illness. His wife of 57 years, Betty was with him when he died peacefully in his sleep.

Roger was born in Des Moines Iowa, on August 22, 1940, the son of Henry Brown and Ella Maxine Peterson. He was educated in Des Moines and Ames, Iowa before marrying Betty Sydnes in 1959 and beginning a prosperous 30 year career at Fareway grocery, which was mainly spent in Manchester, Iowa with his three children and their poodle Gigi. He was active in many community organizations including the Rotary Foundation and the United Methodist Church. He loved camping trips with his family, going to dinner with friends, cooking, sports, the music of Johnny Cash and the vacations he took to the Caribbean Sea with Betty during cold Iowa winters.  He realized his dream of opening his own grocery store Browns' SuperValu with Betty and his son Jim as business partners in Manchester in 1991.

In 1993, Roger and Betty sold their business and home in Manchester and relocated to Sedalia, Missouri and started a new chapter of their lives, caring for his beloved mother and aunts who were all an important part of his childhood. He cherished visits from his children and grandchildren. He often wisely said "Family will always be the most important thing in your life."

He is survived by his three children, Jim Brown, of Cedar Falls, IA, Mike Brown, of East St Louis, IL, and Kim Brown, of Marion, IA; four grandchildren, Samantha Collins, of Cedar Rapids, IA, Josh Brown, of Allison, IA, Roger Brown, Allison, IA and Travis Brown, of Gladbrook, IA; and three great grandchildren Piper Collins, Braxton Collins, and Leo Brown.  He is also survived by his sister Marguerite Banuelos of Denver, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Nancy Landolt. A memorial service will be held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa later this month. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of McLaughlin Funeral Chapel.