Mary Madeline (Alcorn) Brown, 94, of Albert Lea, formerly of Walnut Grove, passed away on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am Thursday at St. Paul Catholic Church in Walnut Grove.  Visitation is 5:00 – 8:00 pm Wednesday at the Walnut Grove Funeral Home with a Prayer Service and Rosary at 7:30 pm.  Visitation will then continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.  Burial is in Calvary Catholic Cemetery.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mary Madeline Hughes, daughter of Thomas and Mary Margaret (Miller) Hughes was born October 27, 1919 in Griswold, Iowa.  She and her family moved to Red Oak, IA, followed by Shenandoah, IA.  In Shenandoah, Madeline attended Catholic School through the sixth grade, and then moved to Corning, IA where she graduated from Corning High School in 1936.  After high school, Madeline resided in Corning and worked at McClelland Drug Store until her marriage to James C. Alcorn of Walnut Grove, MN on April 17, 1945.  They farmed north of Walnut Grove until moving to town in 1972.  She and Jim treasured their 39 years together prior to his passing on December 26, 1984.  Madeline dedicated her life to caring for her family and spent many years managing a farm household.  She also worked as a clerk at Butson’s Variety Store and in the Sentinel Tribune newspaper office in Walnut Grove.  She retired at 75 years of age.  Madeline married John W. Brown of San Antonio, TX on October 4, 1997.  Madeline and John had been high school classmates and friends.  They resided in San Antonio, TX during the fall and winter months, and Walnut Grove the remainder of the year.  In August, 2009 they moved to Albert Lea.  Madeline and John were blessed with nearly 17 years of marriage.  Madeline dearly loved her family, cherished her relationship with the Alcorn family, and was a loyal friend to many.  She enjoyed traveling, gardening, baking, playing cards, crocheting, and watching professional sports.

Madeline is survived by her husband, John, of Albert Lea; son Steve (Cindy) Alcorn of Elk River; daughters: Patricia Alcorn of Duluth, Mary Helen Alcorn (Bee Thienprasit) of North Oaks, and Anne Marie (Scot) Spates of Albert Lea; stepson Lee (Mary) Brown of Houston, TX; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and eight step-great-grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by her husband James, infant daughter Deborah, infant son Timothy, 14-year old son David, parents, two brothers, and two sisters.