Phyllis Elaine Brown, aged 89, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 3, 2026. She was born December 10,1936 to Martin and Jean Prins in Grand Rapids, MI and was raised as an only child.
She graduated from Grand Rapids Christian, then received her LPN nursing degree from Blodgett Hospital. From there she went on to receive her MRS degree (as she liked to call it) from Hope College where she met the love of her life, Harley Brown.
Phyllis and Harley were married, June 9, 1960. They were blessed to be married for 65 years before Harley passed away, just three months ago on October 12, 2025.
Phyllis was employed as a nurse throughout her career in Grand Rapids, Fremont, Holland Hospital, and lastly, Holland Family Medicine, where she was employed for many years. She even spent one summer as the nurse for Camp Geneva, while attending Hope College.
Phyllis was a member of Trinity Reformed Church for many years where she was a Shepherd Elder, a member of the ladies guild and the church choir. In her later years she was a member of Third Reformed Church where she also enjoyed a ladies guild group and sang in the church choir. She volunteered in many capacities at both churches.
Phyllis and Harley loved being hosts and opening their home for dinner parties, coffees, and for overnight guests. They would host overnight guests at Tulip Time, International choir members and directors, and were part of an exchange bed and breakfast program where they would host guests from all over the country, and in turn stay in others’ homes.
She loved to travel and always said her bags were packed! Harley and Phyllis travelled with Blue Lake International Choir two times to Europe for an extensive time, where he was the choir director and she was the nurse for the choir. They also travelled with their three children all throughout the United States camping in their pop-up trailer.
In her retirement years, Phyllis enjoyed putting on skits through Evergreen Commons, attending classes at HASP (Hope Association of Senior Professionals), attending Hope men’s and women’s basketball games and continued to travel extensively. She also was a member of The Ladies Literary Club, was a volunteer driver for Good Samaritan Center, and especially loved being a Tulip Time volunteer step on guide for bus tours for many years.
Phyllis is survived by her son Dean Brown, daughter Laurie and Paul Stears, and daughter Sue and Dan Brookhouse. She is predeceased by her husband Harley, her son-in-law Jon Dekker and her daughter-in-law Kelly Brown. She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren JulieAnne and Pete Kamps (Piper and Reid), Chad and Samantha Stears (Josie and Hank), Max and Kelsy Stears, Andrew and Kelly Brown, Patrick Brown, Griffin and Ashley Dekker (Clarke and Maggie), and Tate Dekker.
Visitation will be held Friday, January 9 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. at Third Reformed Church, 111 West 13th Street, in Holland with the funeral immediately following at 4:00 p.m.
The family wishes to thank the staff at The Cortland Holland for their loving care and amazing service to Phyllis.
Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Hospice or One’s Choice.
Arrangements are by the Dykstra Funeral Home-Downtown Chapel.
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