Fayrene Brownewell

Fayrene Brownewell, 93, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and formerly of Mound Valley, passed away the evening of Sunday, December 25, 2022, at Northeastern Health Systems in Tahlequah.

Fayrene Bircher was born on August 14, 1929, to Archie and Mamie (Locke) Bircher in rural Montgomery County, Kansas.  As a young girl, she grew up and attended school in rural Labette County, graduating from Labette County Community High School in 1947.

For many years, Fayrene lived in the rural Mound Valley area.  She worked at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center and later as the activity director at the former Westbrook Nursing Home in Parsons.  Throughout the years, she also worked at the Golden Spur Café in Mound Valley.

She was a member of the Mound Valley Christian Church.  Painting and crochet were two of Fayrene's favorite hobbies.  Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family.

On April 11, 1948, Fayrene and Earl R. Brownewell were united in marriage in Cherryvale.  He preceded her in death on October 12, 2006.

Survivors include:

Two sons – Claude Brownewell & his wife, Colleen, of Parsons, Kansas

Verl Brownewell & his wife, Sandra, of Mound Valley, Kansas

One daughter – Earlena McKee and her husband, Alan, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Ten grandchildren

Eighteen great-grandchildren

One great-great-grandson

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Brownewell; and two sisters, Marie Cox and June Welch.

The funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 30, 2022, at the Mound Valley Christian Church.  Burial will follow at Mound Valley Cemetery in Mound Valley.  The family will receive friends from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to the Mound Valley Christian Church.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357.

Click on the link below to attend the service:

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