Ella B. Brown, 91, of Hutchinson, died Dec. 17, 2010, at Hospice House in Hutchinson. She was born Nov. 21, 1919, on a farm near Buhler, the daughter of Peter W. and Anna Siemens Balzer. She graduated from Buhler High School in 1938 and attended Bethel College for two years, obtaining her teaching certificate. She taught school for one year before marrying Henry S. Brown on June 6, 1941. They lived in the Partridge community, where she was a homemaker. They had a farming and dairy operation. Upon retirement, she moved to Hutchinson and volunteered at the Et Cetera Shop and Hutchinson Public Library.


She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry, who died Feb. 6, 1988, her parents, a brother, Carl Balzer, and a sister, Ruby Ratzlaff. Survivors include: sons, Phillip Brown and wife Joan, Cleveland, Tenn., Charles Brown and wife Susan, Great Bend; daughter, Peggy Ann MacArthur and husband Dr. Robert, Salem, Ore.; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place. A private family inurnment service will be held at the Partridge Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at the Partridge Community Church Tuesday, December 21, 2010, at 11 a.m., Rev. R. Samuel Askew presiding. A register book will be available to sign 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday and Monday at Elliott Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Partridge Community Church or Hospice and Homecare of Reno County, sent in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, Kansas, 67501. Friends may visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a condolence for the family.