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Phyllis Millie Brown was born November 21, 1913 in Powers Lake, North Dakota daughter of Ross and Martha Martin. At the age of 99 years 6 months and 08 days, she passed away on May 29, 2013.

Phyllis grew up in northwest North Dakota on a farm. When she was a young teenager, her father became an agent for the CPR land settlement and the family moved to Gem, a tiny community in the Eastern Irrigation District of Alberta. She married John Van Bergen May 8, 1932 in Gem, Alberta where they raised 6 children. When John Van Bergen retired from farming they moved to Clearbrook, British Columbia where his mother and some of his siblings resided. Phyllis took great pride in her dazzling dahlias and gladiolas, and continued to enjoy seed catalogue displays until she moved into apartment living. John Van Bergen died September 17, 1981 in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Phyllis then married Howard Brown, a widower, December 5, 1987 in Glendora, California. They resided at Evergreen Apartments, then Garden Park Tower, and Hallmark Assisted Living. When their physical abilities diminished they moved to Tabor Home for the next level of care. After Howard's death she remained at Tabor Home.

Phyllis spent the last few years of her life at Tabor Home in Abbotsford, BC.

She is survived by Betty Brown, Dorothy Martin, Bill Van Bergen, (Charlotte), Martha Van Bergen, and Mary Burkholder (Harold). Her son, David, preceded her in death. Phyllis is grandmother to 18 children, great grandmother to 44, and great, great grandmother to 5.

Online condolences to the family may be made at www.woodlawnfh-abbotsford.com

Woodlawn Funeral Home 604-853-2643



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