Rose Elizabeth Brown

Life-long Dillon resident Rose Elizabeth Zugel Brown, 93, passed away on May 15, 2025. Rosie was born on April 30, 1932, to John and Mary Zugel, attended local schools, and graduated from Beaverhead County High School in 1949. After graduation, as a summer job, Rosie went to work as a legal stenographer for lawyers Ted McFadden and Leonard Schulz. She ended up working at the same law office for over fifty years. During those years, Rosie also worked for lawyers Carl Davis, Frank Davis, John Warren, and Bill Hritsco.

On April 23, 1960, Rosie married Jack Brown at St. Rose Catholic Church. They enjoyed 31 years of marriage and were blessed with two sons, John and Rich. Rosie enjoyed walking, bowling, golfing, playing bridge, and many fun trips with the State Bank Treasure Club. She was also an active member of the YMCA, where she walked and attended a fitness class, after which she had coffee and socialized with her friends.

Rosie volunteered as a receptionist at Barrett Hospital, worked at the Bargain Basement, and assisted with funeral lunches at St. Rose Catholic Church for many years. Rosie was predeceased by her parents, John and Mary Zugel, her husband, Jack Brown, sister Christine Oursland, and brother-in-law Laurence Oursland. Rosie is survived by her sons, John Brown (Kathy Francisco) and Rich Brown (Marci), and grandchildren, Jessica Brown, Jackson Brown, and Isabella Brown, sister-in-law Lela Cousineau, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A funeral mass will be held on June 5, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Dillon. Cremains will be buried at Mountain View Cemetery. A reception will follow at the St. Rose Family Center.

Memorial donations may be made to the Dillon YMCA scholarship program or a charity of your choice.

Rosie wrote the above obituary in November 2018 and updated it in February 2024. Her family wishes to add the following: Rosie was a lovely, kind person who brought joy to our lives. She was always on the go and lived a full and vibrant life. We miss her deeply. She was a great conversationalist and always took a genuine interest in the lives of her family and friends. Rosie loved the color pink. She also loved flowers, especially roses and poppies. Rosie enjoyed living in Dillon. Except for two years after she was married, for 91 years she lived within a half-mile radius of her childhood home on the Zugel family farm.

We are forever grateful to her family and friends in Dillon who embraced Rosie with love and care during her recent illness. Thank you to the staff at Barrett Memorial Hospital, Renaissance South Side Assisted Living, and the BeeHive House and Hospice Care for their excellent care of Rosie over the last six months.