Renate Maria Brown
February 28, 1935 — April 5, 2018
Renate was born in 1935 in the town of Bingen, Germany. A picturesque town in the wine area of the Rhine River, Renate spent virtually of her childhood and adolescence in the area. It wasn’t until a dashing young American GI stationed at nearby Bad Kreuznach swept her off her feet.
Harold and Renate married at a local Bingen church in 1955, sailed west across the Atlantic, crossed the United States and settled in San Pedro, California. Daughter Denise came first in 1956, Raymond in 1958, and Christopher in 1960. Renate was the prototypical housewife of the 1950’s and 1960’s, but took a job at Sears Roebuck in the late 1960’s to finance her dream of taking the family to Germany.
World traveling aside, surprise package Gregory was born in 1972. The years that followed saw the older siblings move their own ways, and Harold and Renate enjoyed life and doted on special-needs Gregory.
Harold passed away in 1997, and Renate found herself thrust in the position of handling all phases of the household – a task she excelled at, while still focusing on making sure that Gregory led a full enjoyable life. She loved traveling with the local seniors group, always making sure Greg came along. That included an infamous trip to Graceland and New Orleans with Greg, Ray, daughter-in-law Kookie, and granddaughter Jamie.
A meticulous person and outstanding cook, Renate enjoyed hosting dinners, get-togethers, brunches, and parties at her house. Her close German friends Gertie and Karen were also an important part of her life.
It wasn’t until the first stages of Alzheimer’s surfaced in 2014 that she could no longer handle all the pieces she had juggled for the prior 17 years. She passed quietly on April 5, 2018, one day after Gregory’s 46th birthday.
Renate is survived by her loving family, her daughter, Denise Beresford of La Mirada, her son, Raymond Brown (Kookie) of Downey, her son, Christopher Brown of Santa Fe Springs, and her son, Gregory Brown of Santa Fe Springs. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Tricia Schwartz (Ben), Mikey Beresford, Jamie Lee Brown-Rivera (Francis), Jason Brown and Amber Brown, as well as 4 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Winfried Stevens (Ernestina) of Sunland Park, New Mexico, and her brother, Rainer Stevens (Hans-Jörg) of Cambodia, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to www.thearclaoc.org or any other disability charitable organization.
Condolences may be sent to the family through our website.
Harold and Renate married at a local Bingen church in 1955, sailed west across the Atlantic, crossed the United States and settled in San Pedro, California. Daughter Denise came first in 1956, Raymond in 1958, and Christopher in 1960. Renate was the prototypical housewife of the 1950’s and 1960’s, but took a job at Sears Roebuck in the late 1960’s to finance her dream of taking the family to Germany.
World traveling aside, surprise package Gregory was born in 1972. The years that followed saw the older siblings move their own ways, and Harold and Renate enjoyed life and doted on special-needs Gregory.
Harold passed away in 1997, and Renate found herself thrust in the position of handling all phases of the household – a task she excelled at, while still focusing on making sure that Gregory led a full enjoyable life. She loved traveling with the local seniors group, always making sure Greg came along. That included an infamous trip to Graceland and New Orleans with Greg, Ray, daughter-in-law Kookie, and granddaughter Jamie.
A meticulous person and outstanding cook, Renate enjoyed hosting dinners, get-togethers, brunches, and parties at her house. Her close German friends Gertie and Karen were also an important part of her life.
It wasn’t until the first stages of Alzheimer’s surfaced in 2014 that she could no longer handle all the pieces she had juggled for the prior 17 years. She passed quietly on April 5, 2018, one day after Gregory’s 46th birthday.
Renate is survived by her loving family, her daughter, Denise Beresford of La Mirada, her son, Raymond Brown (Kookie) of Downey, her son, Christopher Brown of Santa Fe Springs, and her son, Gregory Brown of Santa Fe Springs. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Tricia Schwartz (Ben), Mikey Beresford, Jamie Lee Brown-Rivera (Francis), Jason Brown and Amber Brown, as well as 4 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Winfried Stevens (Ernestina) of Sunland Park, New Mexico, and her brother, Rainer Stevens (Hans-Jörg) of Cambodia, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to www.thearclaoc.org or any other disability charitable organization.
Condolences may be sent to the family through our website.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Renate Maria Brown, please visit our flower store.