Karlene Brown

Karlene Hilda Greenewald Brown, 54, of Mountain Home and Hoonah, Alaska, passed away on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at her home in Mountain Home, surrounded by family.

A funeral mass was held at 2 p.m., on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. Internment will take place in Hoonah, Alaska following a short service, date and time to be announced. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Karlene was born on Dec. 2, 1957, in Mount Vernon, Wash., to Karl and Cecelia Greenewald. Karlene was an Alaskan Native of the Kaagwaantaan Clan, Wolf House, her Tlingit name was See-A. Karlene was raised in Hoonah, Alaska along with five siblings. She graduated from Hoonah High School in 1975 and attended Boise State University.

She relocated to Anchorage after taking a job with Atlantic Richfield as a flight attendant. While in Anchorage, she met the love of her life, Stevan Brown.

Karlene and Steve were married on Oct. 31, 1986. In 1998, they moved to Hoonah so Karlene could be near her parents. She managed Hoonah General Store for a few years before deciding to dedicate her time to her husband and family.

Karlene was an extraordinary person. She never met a stranger. Those lucky enough to have known Karlene will miss her wonderful sense of humor, adventurous ways, and beautiful smile. She never asked or expected to be recognized for the wonderful things she did for others; instead she was humble and dedicated to making others happy.

Karlene and her husband traveled extensively. They enjoyed their adventures together and spent their last anniversary in Hawaii, which was a gift from her husband. Steve was a dedicated and loving husband; he always had a surprise for her and proved his love over and over again.

Karlene was "mom" to her nieces and nephews. She loved them unconditionally and they loved her right back. Everyone enjoyed being around her -- she always encouraged others, and celebrated all of the important moments with her loved ones.

Her kind and gentle spirit will be missed but never forgotten.

Karlene is survived by her husband, Stevan Brown, her siblings, Linda Thein, Karl Greenewald, Tilli and her husband, James Abbott, Marlene and her husband, Gerry Shanahan, Bill and his wife, Chris Greenewald and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her husband's family in the tri-cities of Washington. They were a special part of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Karl and Cecelia Greenewald.

Condolences and cards can be sent to P.O. Box 905, Hoonah, AK 99829.