Reva Brown, age 90 of Wall Lake, IA, passed away on Friday, September 6, 2024, at Black Hawk Life Care Center in Lake View, IA. Reva Genell Bonham was born on November 6, 1933, to parents Allen and Hattie (Palmer) Bonham in Missouri Valley, IA. The family lived in Missouri Valley for several years before moving to Chicago, IL. Reva was both baptized and confirmed in the United Methodist Church in Missouri Valley.
On March 8, 1949, Reva was united in marriage to Charles Edward Brown in Charter Oak, IA. This union was blessed with five children: Lonnie, Danny, Linda, Duane, and Gary. They lived in Bagley, IA, before moving to Lake View and eventually settled in Wall Lake in 1962. Reva worked as a Certified Nurse Aid at Shady Oaks Retirement Center in Lake City for twenty-five years before retiring in 1998.
Reva was an amazing seamstress and made many things for not only her kids and grandkids but for many others in the Wall Lake area as well. She made Linda’s wedding dress as well as all of the bridesmaid dresses, her own dress, and Charles’ suit for the wedding. She loved to sing and dance; she and Charles frequented the Lakewood Ballroom with friends and family when it was open. She also loved to polka dance with her father. Reva and Charles enjoyed camping together and would often take their grandkids along.
Reva always looked forward to spring and summer when she was able to plant and tend to her flowers and large garden. She also enjoyed crocheting. She was a den mother for Cub Scouts, was an athletic club member, and a bible school teacher.
Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her beloved husband and family, each and every one of them. She was so very proud of them all. Reva will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her children, Linda Brown of Lake View, IA, Duane Brown of Wall Lake, IA, and Gary (Kolleen) Brown of Newell, IA; grandchildren: Laura (Rex), Carla (Jon), Teresa (Jim), Carol, Charles, Jeremy (Bailey), Reanna (Josh), Nilla (Scott), Josh (Sonia), Travis (Darci), and Tanya; great-grandchildren: Alex, Andrew, Logan, Tyler, Wyatt, Noah, Amelia, Keara, Kayla, Charlene, Destiny, Chance, Ryan, Mark, Baron, Desmond, Weston, Axel, Gauge, Emma, Kaitlyn, Frank, Jesse, Damien, Jaidyn, Carver, Veronica, Armando, Elizabeth, Hannah, Abigail, Kloie, Gunner, and Zander; great-great grandchildren: Aurora, Savanna, Myla, and Bennett; many extended family members and friends.
Reva was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Brown; parents Allen and Hattie Bonham; parents-in-law Jake and Essie Brown; sons Lonnie and Danny Brown; granddaughter Alicia Brown; five siblings, a sister-in-law and two brothers-in-law; several nieces, nephews, and close friends.
