Leona M. Brown, 95, of Kimball, died at Kimball Health Services on Monday, October 4, 2010.  Funeral services for Leona will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 8, 2010 at the Cantrell Funeral Home in Kimball. Burial will be in the Kimball Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m.  The family asks that memorials be given in Leona’s name to the Kimball County Manor.  The services for Leona have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.

Leona Emma Marie Brown was born in West Point, NE on May 21, 1915, the daughter of Phillip and Anna (Anderson) Goranson.  She was baptized in the Thabor Lutheran Church in Wausa, Nebraska on October 14, 1915.  At the age of 5 she moved with her parents and 3 brothers to Cheyenne County and lived near Dalton.  Her brother LaVerne joined the family circle while living on the farm near Dalton.  Leona received her elementary education in rural Dalton schools and graduated from the Dalton high school as salutatorian of her class in 1933.  The family moved to Kimball County in 1945 where she resided until her death.  Leona was united in marriage to Earl (Tuffy) Brown on September 24, 1950.  Their brief but happy marriage ended with Earl’s tragic death on August 17, 1954.  As a young woman she worked at various jobs in Kimball, from sorting potato’s at Petersen’s Potato Cellar to Clerk/Secretary at the Triple A Farm Service Agency and office.  After her marriage she was employed at the County Treasurer’s Office and later the Assessor’s Office until her retirement, after many years of service.  Her love of animals began in childhood.  Never without a pet, she gave care, love and shelter to many chosen animals and strays alike.  Leona was known for her “Green Thumb”.  Her home and yard reflected that talent until she moved to the Kimball County Manor nearly 9 years ago.  She always had a supply of “goodies” for visiting friend and family, no one left her home without something to eat, a requirement of her Swedish heritage.  She was a member of the First English Lutheran Church and a former member of the Royal Neighbors Lodge.

Survivors include her sister-in-law Carol Goranson of Scottsbluff, NE; nieces Marlene Downer of Harrisburg, NE and DeAnna Pierce of Scottsbluff, NE; nephews Daryl Goranson of Helper, UT and Dennis Goranson of Kimball, NE; 5 great niece and 5 great nephews; numerous great great nieces and nephews, cousin and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, husband and brothers J.R., Virgil, Raymond and LaVerne.