It is hard to convey in a few paragraphs the impact a person has over a lifetime. Those of you that knew her know just how large her heart was. It seemed to have no limit to the amount of love and kindness she could show, and she spent her life creating bonds that cannot be broken by her passing.  

Denice or “pretty girl”, as her husband called her was born in Caldwell, Idaho to James “Art” Redman and Mabel Redman on Christmas day, Dec. 25, 1951. 

She was the first of three children born and is survived by her sister, Luann Redman of Weiser, Idaho; and her brother, John Redman of Lafayette, Ga. 

Her childhood was spent mostly with her Grandpa and Grandma Foreman in Caldwell. It was there that she was taught by example to love and follow Jesus throughout her life. No doubt the beginning of a life that led her to heaven. 

She met the love of her life Vern Irwin Brown of Weiser while working as his secretary at Idaho First National Bank in Weiser 1972. After getting to know each other over a short time they decided to date and 30 days later, on Feb. 23, 1974 they were wed. Working together to create a life with mostly love and laughter to get them through in the beginning. 

She wanted nothing more that to be a wife and mother, her wish was granted when she gave birth to her son Vern Irwin Brown Jr. on Sept. 5, 1975. Followed by Rebecca Denice Brown on Dec. 31, 1976 and Victoria Lynn Brown Martinak on Oct. 19,1978.  

Her hope was always to have eight children but after three her doctor said no more so she decided to just take in any kid that needed her for the rest of her life. 

Her heart, home and arms always open to those that needed love. The love of her kids and not wanting to miss a single moment led her to work at Crane Elementary in the lunchroom, lead story time at the library, coach little league baseball, lead countless 4-H groups and girl scouts for years. She never missed a single event in her children’s lives as they grew up. She showed the same enthusiasm for her adventures with her husband Vern. One of those adventures brought them to Harney County on June 13, 1976, where she lived surrounded by her family till her passing. 

Denice had many talents and hobbies throughout her life, she was an accomplished singer, piano player, painter, seamstress, cook and much more. In 1986 she was abruptly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease she chose to never let define her. Aside from her work that kept her near her kids she was an accomplished secretary and operated the Burns Christian Church Food bank until her passing. 

Her heart was for helping others and being available to her family for any needs that came up. She wanted to be a mother who showed by example how to be about family, and she was in every way. When Denice became a grama she truly blossomed, those babies could do no wrong and she often took the fault of any wrong doings by them by confidently stepping in and telling the parents, “No, that’s my fault I told them it was ok”. It became a family joke for years as you did not mess with her grand-babies, ever. She just loved and accepted them as they are and continued to show by example what unconditional love feels like. Riata Genie Brown, Jace Irwin Anderson, Jack Irwin Brown, Grayden John William Martinak, Vern Jiggs Brown, Charlotte Isabell Brown and Paisley Victorea Martinak are all blessed to have been able to call her grama. 

We all exist because of her and she will never be forgotten. She will be remembered in the stories we tell, the pictures we have, the flowers she grew and loved that will continue to bloom each spring in her honor. 

One of her greatest joys and comforts was knowing that her kids, including Nicholas Ryan Martinak and husband were all saved and baptized so we could all be together again someday. 

She spent her time the last few years quilting and being a prayer warrior for all those that she hoped would seek God and be saved, she lived her life as the best example she could of that. 

She was ever a classy woman who will be remembered for so much including her smile and her life choice to choose happiness every day. If you would like to honor the life of this selfless amazing woman please make a contribution to the Burns Christian Church, where she sat three rows back, praising Jesus for over 30 years. Rest easy pretty girl, you deserve it. 

Services will be held on Oct. 17 at the Memorial Building located at the Harney County Fairgrounds. Service from 1-2 p.m. There will be no food or drink provided to minimize risk of exposure. Please come and help the family say goodbye to their wife, mother and grandmother.