Margaret J. Brown

Margaret J. Brown, known as “Marge”, 81, of Rainy Lake (Millersburg), died at McLaren Northern Michigan hospital in Petoskey Sunday, February 25, 2024. Born in Detroit May 18, 1942, Margaret was the daughter of Ernest and Jeannette Bourgeois. Marge first met Robert “Bob” Brown in 1967; they married a few years later in 1972 and made their home in Birmingham until they moved to Rainy Lake in 1993.

Besides being a homemaker, Marge worked as a secretary for many years. When she and Bob moved to northern Michigan, she began selling real estate working for several real estate agencies in the area including Cardinal Real Estate, Century 21 and Real Estate One. She enjoyed her job selling properties in northern Michigan and the opportunity to meet so many nice people.

Margaret enjoyed target archery and was a member of the Royal Oak Archers. For many years she served as secretary of the Rainy Lake Homeowners Association as well as belonging to the Millersburg Fraternal Order of Eagles and the TOPS Club in Rogers City. 

An avid reader, Marge was a member of the Friends of the Onaway Library and enjoyed getting together with her lady friends for book club. She collected red and blue glass, enjoyed feeding the birds and loved living at Rainy Lake. 

She and Bob had their place on the lake for many years before moving there permanently and never regretted their decision to leave the city. Friendly and quite sociable, Marge talked to everyone and enjoyed telling jokes. Quite often she’d break the ice with one of her many riddles.

Surviving Marge is her husband of 52 years, Bob, of Rainy Lake; daughters, Dawn Daras (Dr. Kenneth Cartwright) of Bloomfield and Rene

e (Darris) Lazoen of Clarkston; stepdaughter, Ruth Ann (Thomas) Houston of Novi; stepson, Robert (Julie) Brown of Ada; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers, Ernest (Judy) Bourgeois of Novi and Jim (Linda) Bourgeois of North Branch; as well as her two chocolate labs, Sam and Midget. Marge was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be held at Chagnon Funeral Home Monday, March 4, from 4 until 9 p.m. followed by a graveside service at Riverside Cemetery in Millersburg at 1 p.m.Tuesday March 5. The Rev. James Brabson will officiate. 

Those planning an expression of sympathy please consider a donation in memory of Marge to the Cheboygan County Humane Society at 1536 Hackleburg Road, Cheboygan, MI 49721.