Alvida "Al" Browne

The Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Alvida M. Browne, of Wadena, will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 28, at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Wadena. Visitation will be held on Thursday at St. Ann's Parish Hall from 5:30 until 8:00 PM. Parish Prayers at 5:30 and rosary at 6:30. Visitation will continue on Friday at 9:30 AM until the time of Mass. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You are invited to watch the service via live-stream by going to Schuller Family Funeral Homes' FaceBook Page or YouTube Page ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Alvida, more commonly known as Vida or Al, age 103, passed away on February 22, 2025, at her home in Wadena, with compassionate care by Vivie Hospice. For the past 3 years she was under the loving care of Audrey Davis, assisted by Sue, Licia, Val, and Tasha. Alvida Marie Berg was born the youngest of six children to Andrew and Marie (Shay) Berg on January 6, 1922, in Wanamingo, MN, a small Scandinavian community. Only Norwegian was spoken. At around age 10, she often played house in the backyard shed of Syverson's farm and pretended and believed John Wayne was her boyfriend. Alvida graduated from Zumbrota High school where she was active in cheerleading and band. She was crowned homecoming queen her senior year. In September of 1943, she enlisted in the Navy WAVES and served as a 1st Class Petty Officer until 1946, when she received an honorable discharge in Washington DC. During her service she played in the Drum and Bugle Corp and marched in President F.D. Roosevelt's Funeral Parade. Alvida talked about her first plane ride with Secretary of War, Robert P. Patterson, his wife and child. It was during a storm and she had to hold her arms up so her head wouldn't hit the ceiling. Upon completion of her military service, she lived in Minneapolis and attended a medical technology college and received an associate degree and worked as a lab technician in a medical clinic. At that time, she met the love of her life, John "Jack" Browne of Wadena. They were married April 22, 1950, in Minneapolis. Jack and Alvida made their home in Wadena, where they raised their five children. Alvida was a busy homemaker, mother, and advocate for her husband and children. She gave time to be a Girl Scout leader for 11 years, a Pink Lady at Tri-County Hospital, and lector at their church in Rio Verde, AZ, where she and Jack spent many happy winters. Her family will remember her as a selfless being, always putting her family first. They can testify to her three tasty and healthy meals per day. Her homes were spotless and beautifully decorated with her flair for art, fashion, and color. Her neighbor once said, "I can't believe she sweeps her garage almost daily." Vida packed up the station wagon both summer and winter for fun-filled family weekends at their cabin on Big Sand Lake or skiing at Val Chatel. She was an avid golfer and skier. She enjoyed baking, entertaining, shopping, and a good hand at Bridge and often played double solitaire for hours with Jack and her family. In 1999, Jack and Alvida established the Browne Family Foundation which continues to greatly benefit the Wadena area. Each year she played an important roll dispersing funds to various organizations and community projects. Forever remembering Alvida will be her children: Christopher "Kip" of Wadena, Barbara Kosovich of Billings, MT, Sarah (Mike) Montgomery of Thousand Oaks, CA, and Jeffrey (Kathy) of Wadena; along with 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. She was preceeded in death by her husband, Jack, of 59 years; daughter, Rebecca (Becky) Miller; her parents Andrew and Marie Berg; grandson, Kevin Kosovich; granddaughter, Annie Montgomery Clausen; son-in-law, Ken Kosovich; siblings: Rueben, Oswald, Clifford, Milton, and her sister, Christine who lived to be 105 years of age; and parents-in-law, William and Frances Browne. Serving as pallbearers will be Ryan Browne, Andrew Browne, Tanner Budke, Wiley Miller, Brit Miller, Erik Winegarden, and Mike Montgomery. Military honors will be provided by the US Navy Honor Guard and the Elmer Goche Post 3922, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wadena, MN. Memorials in Alvida's name may be directed to the Browne Family Foundation. C/O Wadena State Bank, PO Box 191, Wadena, MN 56482

Alvida "Al" Browne

January 6, 1922 - February 22, 2025