Nola Jean Brown, 82, of Laurel, MT and previously a longtime resident of Bowman, ND, passed away Nov. 13, 2024, at TenderNest in Billings, MT.

Visitation is Friday, Nov. 22, from 6:30pm to 9pm at Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Chapel in Bowman. Services are 10am Saturday, Nov. 23, at Peace Lutheran Church in Scranton, ND, with Pastor Mary Peterson officiating. Graveside services for Nola immediately follow at the Peace Lutheran Cemetery.

Nola J. Brown was born June 1, 1942, in Bowman, ND, to George F. and Edna V. (Smith) Brown, the youngest of five children. She was raised on the family farm near Scranton, ND, with her siblings. The Browns and Smiths had numerous gatherings together; after all, three Brown brothers married three Smith sisters. She was baptized and confirmed at the Peace Lutheran Church in Scranton. Throughout her life, the Lutheran faith was a cornerstone of her life. After graduating Scranton High School as valedictorian, Nola earned a "standard degree" (teaching certificate) from Dickinson State College in 1962. She advanced her education, graduating Dickinson State University in 1977 with a bachelor of science in elementary education.

Nola was an exceptional teacher, devoting more than 40% of her life to "her school kids." She began teaching in a rural county school in the fall of 1962. Just as the new Roosevelt Elementary School was opening in Bowman, she joined the faculty, teaching third grade from Fall 1964 to Spring 1994. Nola taught second grade from Fall 1994 until her retirement in Spring 1996. From the time she earned her teaching certificate, she was known as Miss Brown to hundreds of children. Dozens of those children remained lifelong friends with Nola, which gave her great joy. It was common for her to have past students request that their children be in Miss Brown's class.

Many of her students still tell of how they spent hours practicing cursive, although none compared to Nola's literally perfect penmanship. She was frugal and meticulous. Nola's small garden produced a bounty every year she planted it, including seeds she collected for the next year and shared with friends.

In 1973, Nola split the cost of a large lot on Dover St. in Bowman with her parents and had a home built to their specifications by Woodley Construction. Later, she became sole owner. Nola had immense, yet humble, pride in earning a living for herself, but always making sure there was room in her budget for charitable donations, which she carefully researched.

Nola took seriously her faith's teachings to be generous. That included her time. After retirement, she stepped up to volunteer within her community. This included the museum in Bowman, retired teachers association and acts of simple kindness. In turn, her community took special care of her when she needed it most.

In 2017, Nola had a brain aneurysm. She was able to live in her home with the help of her friends. She began spending more time living with her sister, Leora, in Laurel, MT, where she moved to permanently in 2023.

Nola is survived by her sister, Leora Finberg; nephews and their families Jay (Nettie) Honstain, Rex Honstain, Royce (Dana) Honstain, Chet Honstain and Tim (Tracy) Brown; nieces and their families Laura Honstain, Deb (Devin) Mazuranich and Sharlet (John) Teigen.

Nola was preceded in death by her parents, George and Edna Brown, siblings and their spouses Davida (Pat) Honstain, Glenn (Peggy) Brown and Dean (Lauraine) Brown; brother-in-law John Finberg and niece-in-law, Michelle Honstain.

The family encourages that, instead of flowers, remembrances to Nola be to a charity that has special meaning, volunteer in your community, help a neighbor or do a kind deed just because it should be done.

Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Services in Bowman, ND, are in charge of arrangements.