One Nation, Under God

Loretta Jean Brown

Loretta Jean Brown, 70, passed away peacefully December 18, 2017, after a brief battle with cancer. Although she will be missed terribly we know she is happy to be back with her parents and her uncles and aunts.

Jean was born May 9, 1947, to Jim and Cora (Azure) Kelsey in Malta, Mont. She attended school in Zortman, Mont., and graduated from Malta High School. In October of 1967 Jean married Edwin Rasmussen and from this union, they were blessed with three beautiful daughters, Kim, Kristal, and Kathie. Although they would later divorce Ed and Jean remained friends over the years. Later in life, Jean was blessed with a fourth daughter, Kori Jean. In 1980 Jean met and would later marry Al Brown.

Anyone who knew Mom knew she lived her life for her family. She would move heaven and earth to see her children happy. If you were to ask her friends they would say she was a great listener and a loyal friend with a heart like no other. If you were to ask any of her grandchildren they would say she was tough, selfless, and compassionate and the hardest worker they had ever seen. If you were to ask her husband he would tell you she was simply amazing.

Jean is preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Cora Kelsey and sister-in-law Mary Kelsey.

Jean is survived by her husband AB, daughters Kim (Rusty) Cross and their children Hunter, Hailee and Hayden of Helena, Kristal (Jeff) Ward of Billings, Kathie (Aaron) Helfert and children Kolter, Klancy (Jessica) and Kooper Jones of Helena, Kori Fanning of Havre, stepdaughters Liisa (Dennis) Yoshioka and their children Jake and Jessica of California, Laurie (Jim) Walker and their children Linsey, Jennifer (Richard) and Jeffery (Samantha) of Washington, Rebecca Brown of Washington, brothers Lloyd Kelsey and Debbie Harden of Billings, Bobby Kelsey of Billings, 11 grandchildren, six great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and many dear friends.

Mom left an amazing legacy for all who loved her. In her early years, Mom worked at the mine in Zortman refining gold bars. In her later years, she was a bookkeeper until her retirement. However, after retiring with some spare time on her hands Mom worked as a bartender and became one of the best beer slingers the Glass Slipper ever had.

Fond memories include spending time at the river place and the ranch. Christmas was her favorite holiday as she got to spend time with her family. She loved to spoil her grandkids, take random road trips to see new places and meet new people, dance with her grandsons and lend a helping hand when it was needed.

A heartfelt thank you to the doctors and medical staff and St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings for the amazing care you provided Mom in her final days. Though this was not the outcome we all had hoped for you did all you could to keep Mom comfortable and provide our family support. For that we truly thank you.

A celebration of Jean's life will be held Saturday, May 26, 2018, in Zortman, Mont., at Buff's Campground.

 

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