Merna Arlene (Jenson) Brown was born in Westby, Montana on February 22, 1934, to Carla and Jens Jenson. She attended school in Sidney, then worked at the Occident Elevator Company. Merna married Glenn Brown in June of 1955. Together, they had two children, Steve and Ron.

After Glenn passed in 1975, Merna went to work for the Hansen family as a bookkeeper for over 30 years at the Homestead, the Book Store and the South 40. She also spent many years as a caregiver to her parents and siblings.

Merna loved to garden and took great pride in her roses. She was a wonderful cook, and we always looked forward to her caramel rolls and lemon meringue pies and her Norwegian Fattigmanns at Christmas time.

Merna made more than a dozen trips to Alaska to go fishing with her sister and family. She loved to fish! She was also an avid Sidney Eagles fan and rarely missed a home game of boys or girls Basketball and attended as many football games as possible over nearly 60 years. She also spent many years league bowling, where she made many friends and was involved with the Cub Scout program as a Den Mother.

Merna’s family was her greatest joy. Her face would light up whenever she spoke of her children, her grandchildren or great grandchildren. She attended as many of their sports games as she possibly could! Merna was the last remaining Jenson of 15 children.

Merna passed away peacefully on October 2, 2024, at the age of 90 at Sidney Extended Care.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Brown; parents Carla and Jens Jenson; and her 14 siblings: Ernest, Art, Lester, Ginard, Morris, Lloyd, Myron (Kink), Eleanor, Clint, Herbert, LeRoy, Harold, Milton and Kathy.

Merna is survived by her two children Steve (Penny) Brown and Ron Brown (Jacquie McDermott); grandchildren Chris (Mandy) Brown, Nick Brown, Chandi (Brad) Mehr, and Justin Brown; great grandchildren Cooper and Alex Mehr and Hunter McDermott; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Thank You