Leah Manwaring Brown, 98, of Idaho Falls, formerly of Rexburg, passed away Wednesday, October 3, 2012, at Turtle and Crane Assisted Living in Idaho Falls. She was under the care of One Source Home Health and Hospice.

Leah was born July 15, 1914, in Groveland, Idaho, to Walter H. and Emogene Bird Manwaring. Her twin brother Leo was born a few minutes after her. Most of her younger years were spent growing up in Rexburg with her four siblings. She graduated from Madison High School and attended Ricks College.

On April 17, 1936, she married Norman R. Brown in the Salt Lake City Temple. They made their home and reared their three children in Rexburg. Norman preceded her in death in March 2005, after 69 years of marriage.

Leah worked as a bookkeeper/secretary for many years at Nelson-Ricks Creamery Co., Rexburg Cold Storage, and Ricks College. She retired from Ricks College when Norman retired from J.C. Penney Co. in Rexburg. The two of them traveled to various places throughout the U.S. and Hawaii, spending their winters in Arizona and their summers in Rexburg. Eventually, they sold their home in Rexburg and moved to St. George, Utah, where they enjoyed several years serving in the St. George Temple. In the spring of 1997, they moved to Idaho Falls to be closer to family. They lived at Lincoln Court Retirement Center until Norman passed away. Leah then moved to Turtle and Crane Assisted Living where she received excellent care for the past seven years.

Leah had a passion for reading all of her life. She most always had a book in her hands or close by so she could read whenever she wanted. She also loved to sing and she enjoyed all good music. She grew beautiful flowers around her homes in Rexburg and St. George. She was an excellent cook and loved to share salads, casseroles, and desserts with family and friends. She had a very kind, loving heart. In her later years she enjoyed crocheting and made many beautiful crocheted items to give to her family. She was a meticulous homemaker and maintained a clean, orderly home. She was much loved by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her children: Boyd (Lynda) Brown, Beverly (Conley) Stucki of Idaho Falls, and Gary (Vonda) Brown of Orem, Utah; 14 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four siblings, two grandsons and one great-grandson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 8, 2012 at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg. The family will receive friends Monday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home prior to services. Burial will be in the Sugar City Cemetery.

The family wishes to express their greatest appreciation to the staff at Turtle and Crane Assisted Living and to One Source Home Health and Hospice for their care and kindnesses shown to their mother and grandmother.