Max E. Brown's Obituary
Max Eugene Brown passed away peacefully on July 12, 2021, at Bethany Life Communities. Max was born in Grinnell, Iowa, July 6, 1940, the only child of Frank Lancaster Brown and Arvilla Esther (Mackin) Brown. He graduated from Grinnell High School. He worked at the Montezuma Republic Newspaper before moving to Story City where he was photographer and advertising manager for the Story City Herald. In 1961 Max married Corinne Muncy and they started Rae-Gene Studio and Flaire Color Photography which they ran until they sold to Pete Tekippe Photography in the 80's. He also drove the school bus, was a volunteer fire fighter and mentored other entrepreneurs as they started their own businesses. To this union three children were born: Ken, Keith, and Kathy. Max worked for Teleconnect for several years, and he was a salesman for K.E. Brown Sales, a family-owned business. In 1991 he married Cynthia Martens Beatty in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and they made their home in Marion, Iowa. Max enjoyed dancing, photography, and making people smile. He was always helping people in any way he could. Max also was Santa's helper for many years listening to what children wanted for Christmas and making sure they were good for their parents because he was watching. Max took senior photos for thousands of young students in the central Iowa area. Max enjoyed hearing everyone's stories and no one was ever a stranger. No matter where you were at someone knew of Max Brown. He was a wonderful storyteller, especially about the many adventures that happened at the over 2,000 weddings he photographed. From ringbearers throwing pillows across the tops of people's heads to the mouse that ran up the aisle and came right up to the bride and groom. In his later years he volunteered at Mission of Hope in Cedar Rapids, Iowa doing many projects to keep folks warm and fed. He also enjoyed volunteering at First Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Cedar Rapids as an usher and a greeter. Max was preceded in death by his parents. Max is survived by his wife Cindi of Marion, IA; sons Ken (Paula) Brown, of Story City, Keith Brown (Toni Williams) of Walford, IA, and daughter Kathy (Jeff) Wellik, of Story City; step-sons Dana (Jill) Beatty of Martelle, IA and Shawn (Chika) Beatty of Columbia, MO; Granddaughters Kaylee Wellik (Bryce Phillips) of Ames and Megan Wellik of Cedar Falls and step-grandchildren Chris (Val) Webb of Roland and Nicole (Dom) Rocker, Fort Myers, Florida; Koh and Shin Beatty of Columbia, MO; Raven (Cody) Suntken of Anamosa, IA and step-great-grandchildren Josh and Lindsey Webb of Roland, IA; Kingston Rocker of Fort Myers, Florida; Elaine and Milo Suntken, of Anamosa, IA. As Max would say, "Thanks-a-million". Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
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