Hazel Ruth Brown

Hazel Ruth Brown, a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at the age of 98, in Moses Lake, Washington. Hazel Brown was born on September 29, 1926, at her family’s farmhouse in Rosette, Box Elder County, Utah to William McKean Newman and Matilda Price Newman. She was the fourth of six children. Hazel attended Park Valley School through her 10th grade year. By this time, her father had passed away and her mother had moved to Brigham City; Hazel supported herself by working at a short order café where she met the love of her life and future husband Ralph Norman Powell, who was in the Army Medical Corps. Hazel and Ralph were married six weeks later on November 7, 1943, in Dillon, Montana. After Ralph returned from deployment overseas in 1945, they relocated to Coulee City, Washington to raise their baby girl Donna (Swartout). Their sons Richard and Ronald came in 1946 and 1958, respectively. After Ralph’s passing on June 23, 1971, Hazel remined in Coulee City until she moved to Montana in 1975. Hazel returned to full activity in the Church when she moved back to Washington I 1980 and embraced her faith with renewed vigor and devotion. She sang in the Stake Choir where she met Harold D. Brown. Hazel and Harold were married on October 3, 1981, in Moses Lake, Washington and shared a life on a small three-acre farm until Harold entered the care of his children and passed in 1995. During these years, Hazel worked diligently to care for the farm and for Harold, all while working toward and earning her General Education Diploma from Big Bend Community College in 1988 at the age of 62. Hazel served faithfully in numerous callings throughout her life for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, including choir member, Primary Teacher, and Temple Worker at the Seattle Temple. She found immense joy in serving others. Her quiet strength and boundless love touched countless lives within her ward and community. She truly embodies the spirit of Christlike service. Beyond her Church service, Hazel Brown was known for her beautiful smile, funny sense of humor, and her love of children, not to mention her skilled needle work and her beautiful rose garden. She loved to crochet baby caps which were donated to Samaritan Hospital to be given to newborn babies in her community. Hazel leaves behind a legacy of faith, resilience, and love that will continue to inspire anyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Hazel Ruth Brown is survived by her children; Donna Swartout, Richard Powell, and Ronald Powell. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jen (Medie) Ruiz and Travis Powell, and her great-granddaughter Jacqui(Jared0 Jones. She leaves behind numerous cherished friends from her community, her Church, and her “Apartment Family”. She was preceded in death by her beloved first husband and father of her children, Ralph Powell; her second husband, Harold Brown; her parents, William and Matilda Newman; her siblings, Thelma, Irene, Rachel, Pat, and David; and her son-in-law, Tom Swartout. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 12th, 2025, at 11:00am at the Rose Street Chapel, located at 1036 W Rose Ave in Moses Lake, Washington. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Assured Hospice for their compassionate care during her final days.

Hazel Ruth Brown

September 29, 1926 - August 2, 2025