Helen Jean (Dufour) Brown

TAMA-Helen Jean (Dufour) Brown, 90, of Tama, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 1, 2026 at Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown. A Memorial Mass will be held Friday, May 8, 2026 at 10:30 AM at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama. A Memorial Visitation will be held Friday, May 8, 2026 from 9:30 AM until the time of service at the church. Interment will be held at a later date at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Tama.

Jean was born on May 24, 1935, in Escanaba, Michigan, to Jerry and Lucille (Trepanier) Dufour. She carried the values instilled by her parents–hard work, faith, and family–throughout her life.

Jean was the devoted mother of four children, who were the center of her life and her greatest pride. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jess Duane Brown, who passed away three years ago at the age of 91. Their sixty-six years of life together reflected a deep and lasting commitment to one another and to the family they built.

She was also preceded in death by her sisters Patricia (Don) Burroughs and Geraldine (George) Hayek, her nephews Patrick Burroughs and Jerry Dufour, as well as her parents.

Jean is survived by her children: Jeff (Diane) Brown of Chanhassen, Minnesota; Kathy (Daryl) Staker of Tama, Iowa; Thomas (Lisa) Brown of Gainesville, Georgia; and Kristin (Ron) Karkosh of Wesley Chapel, Florida.

She is also survived by six grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, sister Mary (Dana) Johnson, brother Joel (Phyllis) Dufour, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Jean worked for Mosebach, Griffith and Company, where she was known as a dependable and dedicated professional. Whether at work or at home, she believed in doing things the right way and seeing them through.

She was an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Tama, where she participated in church events and community activities. Her faith was a steady and guiding presence in her life.

Jean lived by a simple but firm principle: “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” It was a mindset she carried into everything she did. She will be remembered as a hard worker–at home, in her career, and in her community–and as someone who took care of the people around her without hesitation.

Her legacy lives on in the lives of her family and in the example, she set every day.

Memorials may be directed to Iowa River Hospice.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.