Rebecca R Brown Lerud

Rebecca R. Brown LeRud, age 86, passed away on May 18th of acute leukemia. Born August 25, 1931 in Venita Oklahoma, the family later moved to Eugene, Oregon in 1946. She graduated from Eugene High School and from Cascadia College. While in college, she met Stanley Brown, and they were married in 1951. In 1965 they began serving as missionaries in the Congo and also served in East Africa. In 1969, they returned to the Lebanon area to continue teaching and in the 1980’s spent 12 years teaching in Alaska and serving in ministerial work. They later continued ministry work in Puebla, Mexico before returning to their home in Lebanon. She was preceded in death by Stanley who passed away in 1994. While attending a college class reunion, Rebecca became reacquainted with Lorne LeRud. After a short time, the two married on December 24th, 1996. During their 21 years together they enjoyed travel, spending time with family and grandchildren, being at their lake house, and serving in their church. A studious reader and writer, Rebecca enjoyed teaching Bible studies and was active in writing articles and studies for several Christian publishers. She was known for her quick wit and clever mind and is remembered as an important spiritual mentor who taught others to love God’s Word. She had a significant impact on her family, friends, students and others, showing Jesus clearly through an open and welcoming spirit. She is survived by her husband, Lorne LeRud, her children Paul and Janie Brown of Springfield, Oregon, Jonathan and Victoria Brown of Salem, Oregon, Timothy and Denise Brown of Vacaville, California, Ron and Wendy Peters of Salem, Oregon, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Her extended family includes Roger and Marie LeRud of Keizer, Oregon, Matt and Janice Fleck of Issaquah, Washington, Dianne Friesen of Keizer, Oregon, and Ryan and Marian Neuhoff of Oakley, California, Joe Friesen of Keizer, Oregon, and eight grandchildren. A family graveside service will be held Wednesday May 23rd, followed by a memorial service at Salem Evangelical Church, 455 Locust Street NE, Salem, Oregon, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators or to Salem Evangelical Church’s Oaxaca Youth Missions outreach.