1933 – MARY BROWN -2023

1933 – MARY BROWN -2023
Mary Brown passed away with her family at her side on August 17, 2023 at the age of 90 years. Mary leaves to cherish her memory her children, sons, Lyle Stenger (Yvonne), Thomas Stenger (Kim), Clifford Stenger (Jennifer Cote), Brad Stenger (Cheryl), siblings, Betty Martin, George Kiebel (Geraldine), Sophie Skappak; 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Margaret Kibel; husband, Art Brown; sons, Leonard Stenger and Neil Stenger; brother, James; and brothers-in-law, Hugh Martin and Art Skappak. Mary Brown was born to Joseph and Margaret Kibel January 6, 1933 in her parents’ homestead farmhouse located northwest of Empress, Alberta. Mary was the oldest of five children. She worked at the Empress Hospital before meeting and marrying her first husband, Joseph Stenger, and they lived and farmed in Empress, AB until Mary moved to Medicine Hat in 1970. Mary married Herbert “Art” Brown and they lived together in Medicine Hat until Art’s passing. Mary later met Ken Holmes and he has been by her side for the last 22 years. Together they moved to Manitoba where they built three hemp manufacturing plants. After retiring from the hemp business, they purchased a home on Athapapuscow Lake on Sally’s Beach near Flin Flon, MB. They found the winters too long and cold, so they moved back to Medicine Hat. Mary loved to go fishing with Ken on Athapapuscow Lake and surrounding lakes. One season she caught the largest rainbow trout on Scotty Lake. Always wanting some excitement and something different to do, after moving back to Medicine Hat, she went gold mining with Ken at Quartz Creek near Golden, BC. They didn’t find much gold but they met many new friends and had fun. Mary travelled all over western Canada with Ken where they made many more new friends. A highlight in her life was when they travelled to Hawaii on a vacation with Ken’s family. However, they missed the Flin Flon area, so they purchased a cabin at Cranberry Portage on Athupapuscow Lake to spend their summers but unfortunately had to sell the cabin after one season because of Mary’s deteriorating health. She continued to live with Ken in Dunmore, AB until her health forced her to move into a home. Mary lived at Masterpiece briefly until she moved to The Wellington where she resided until her passing. Ken supported her and visited her at the Wellington every day. Mary was a very strong-willed, hard-working person who was always helping someone, whether it was loaning them some money, driving them to an appointment, cleaning their house, etc. When asked what she wanted to be written in her obituary she said, “Tell them I loved to work”. When asked how she would describe her life in one sentence she said, “I had some lumps, I had some bumps and I had some dreadful falls, but I had a good life” A come and go in Mary’s honour will be held in the Wellington Chapel, 1595 Southview Drive SE, Medicine Hat, AB on Friday, August 25th, 2023 from 1:00 4:00 pm. A family interment will be held at St. Peter and Paul Cemetery south of Acadia Valley, Alberta at a later date. Mom’s family want to thank the staff at the Wellington, Dr. Shrives, Dr. Deri-Gillespie, Dr. Keshvara, Nurse Shauna, Emergency Dept. Dr. Faul and Nurse Krista and a huge thank you to Mom’s companion, Ken Holmes, who has always been there for Mom . Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Mary Brown. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to

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