Carlene S. Brown

Carlene S. Tracy Brown, 91, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family on September 2, 2026, following a short illness.

She was born July 12, 1935, and lived most of her life in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was the first child of Kenneth Tracy and Ruth Schweider Tracy. Raised on 1st street, she attended Emerson Elementary School and ultimately graduated from Idaho Falls High School in the very first graduating class. She attended nursing school in Boise, where she met the love of her life, Leo Keith Brown in 1953. They were married in May of 1954 and together raised a family of five boys: Steven, Ronnie, Patrick, Robert and Thomas.

Her husband and family were everything to her. As her boys grew older and more independent, she returned to night school – pursuing her teaching certificate at ISU. In 1972, Keith received a promotion to Seattle, so the family packed up and moved to Bainbridge Island, Washington, where she continued to raise her boys, obtained her Washington teaching certificate and began substitute teaching. Four years later, an opportunity to move back to Idaho Falls presented itself and the decision was made, in Carlene’s words, “to move back to God’s country.”

Keith completed the purchase of their new home in early June of 1976 and returned to Washington to move the family. Their journey began on June 6th, 1976, not knowing if their new house remained intact following the Teton Dam failure the previous day. It did, and Carlene occupied this same home for the next fifty years until her passing.

She began her third- grade teaching career that same fall at Hillview Elementary. She continued to work there for nearly forty years, becoming a beloved teacher and nurturing many close friendships within the teaching community. She remained active with her teacher friend group for the remainder of her life.

Family has always been the primary focal point of Carlene’s life; she invested everything into loving each and every family member. She actively supported her children and grandchildren at all their school events and sporting activities and loved to be included with the other parent boosters.

She and Keith believed strongly in the value of education, and they ensured each of their children received college degrees. They often joked with each other that their purpose in this life was to put six people through college.

Following her retirement from teaching in 2009, she developed a passion for crafting greeting cards. She poured her love into each one of the beautiful cards she created – all of which have become treasured family heirlooms. She never missed a birthday, always calling and singing Happy Birthday to her children and grandchildren.

Throughout much of her married life, Carlene spent a great deal of time planning, coordinating and preparing for the extended family’s annual camping trip on the Salmon River. These trips involved twenty to forty members of Keith’s siblings’ families and lasted for up to two weeks, requiring extensive meal planning and collaboration. Many cherished memories were created during these trips, due in no small part to Carlene’s efforts.

Holidays were always special times in her home. Christmas, in particular, received special attention, and her magical Christmas festivities fostered similar holiday traditions throughout her extended family.

Carlene will be remembered as a caring wife; a loving sister, mother, and aunt; a beloved grandmother; and a cherished friend and neighbor.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ken & Ruth Tracy; husband, (Leo) Keith Brown; sons, Steve & Ronnie Brown; sister, Joyce Dodge, and grandchild, Tillman Glass.

She is survived by her sons, Pat (Annette Fonnesbeck) Brown, Bob (Debbie) Brown and Tom (Raquel) Brown; daughter-in-law, Virginia Gale; grandchildren, Nate Brown, Jessica (Matt) Kelley, Jeremy (Kim) Glass, Mackenzie (Sam Iftikhar) Brown, Brayden Brown, Megan (Tracen) Hill, Abbie (Ty Dobson) Brown, and Keith Brown; and her great grandchildren Bridger Elliot-Glass, Xander Glass, Jack Kirby-Glass, Aspen Kelley, Blake Hill, Hudson Hill, Titan Hill, and Bo Dobson.

Per Carlene’s wishes, there will be no funeral and only a small gathering of immediate family for the internment at Rose Hill Cemetery. In lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of Eastern Idaho in Carlene’s name, to whom the family will be eternally grateful for their excellent and heartfelt care.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.