Charlene ‘Char’ Rae Brown, 89, was joyfully reunited with the love of her life in the presence of their Savior on June 21, 2025, from her home in Great Bend, Kan. Char was born March 31, 1936, in Rifle, Colo., to Robert J. and Grace (Nelson) Rowlands. She married Charles “Chuck” Kenneth Brown on June 9, 1957, in Rifle, Colo. Chuck preceded her in death on Nov. 11, 2023. 

Graduating from Rifle (Colo.) High School, Char attended Mesa College in Grand Junction, Colo., before transferring to Colorado State Teachers College in Greeley, Colo., where she earned her B.A. and teacher’s certification in Art Education.

With characteristic cheerfulness and grace, Char embraced frequent moves in the early years of marriage, following her husband (a coach) to various locations in Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota and ultimately Kansas. She was without fail his biggest cheerleader. Despite uprooting often, she never knew a stranger and her home was always open.

A devoted Christian, Char was involved in the local church wherever she went, serving faithfully by leading Sunday School, Bible study, VBS and youth groups. She was a devoted member of Community Christian Church in Great Bend for 46 years.

As a passionate artist and educator, Char taught art at Great Bend High School for 20 years. She championed art in schools through her involvement with the Kansas and National Art Education Associations. She enjoyed being around fellow artists and was involved with several art associations including the Barton County Arts Council and Artists At Large of Central Kansas. Her work—ranging from oil paintings to batik and fiber art—was exhibited in galleries across Central Kansas, with several pieces donated to support Smoky Hills PBS. She especially loved the beauty of nature, particularly her Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Char is survived by daughters Christy Schultz, and Evelyn (Carl) Harr; grandchildren Elydia and Ethan Harr, all of Great Bend, Kan.; brother Robert J. Rowlands Jr. of Mesa, Ariz.; nephews Michael (Dianna) Rowlands of Phoenix, Ariz.; Russell (Mary) Rowlands of Tempe, Ariz.; and Ryan (Janice) Rowlands of Fort Worth, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister-in-law Mary Rowlands and nephew Robert J. Rowlands III. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 30, 2025, at Community Christian Church, Great Bend, with Pastor Jon Hembree presiding. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 29, at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family present to receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Interment will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Mount Hope Cemetery, Beaver City, Neb. Memorials are suggested to the Barton Community College Foundation to provide art education scholarships, or Community Christian Church Youth Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 24, 2025