Ilse Maria Kurtovich Brown

Ilse Maria Kurtovich Brown, 79, passed away on April 26, 2026, in Napa, California.

She was born on May 3, 1946, in Mürzzuschlag, Austria. After emigrating with her family, she was raised in Mercer Island, Washington. She later attended Occidental College in Los Angeles, where she met and married her husband, David Brown. Together they built a life in San Dimas, California, where they raised their family, before eventually settling in Napa.

Ilse was preceded in death by her husband, David, and her son, Peter. She is survived by her children Doug, Kristen, Megen, and Cameron, along with 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

A devoted mother, Ilse was deeply involved in her children’s lives—rarely missing a swim meet, track meet, water polo game, or theater performance. She created a home full of opportunity and adventure, from time spent waterskiing as a family at Lake Powell to encouraging each child to pursue their passions.

Ilse was a woman of remarkable creativity and drive. An entrepreneur at heart, she founded multiple makeup companies and ran her own design business. She had the gift of creativity, expressed through her work as an artist and even as a skilled handwriting analyst. She was also an accomplished athlete, playing tennis at a high level and earning recognition as part of a 5.0 USTA women’s national championship team.

She will be remembered as faithful, generous, kind, and a lifelong scholar. A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, her faith guided her life and relationships. Ilse had a unique way of caring for those around her—always looking out for others and always ready with a story or lesson that left a lasting impression.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, May 4th at 11:00 a.m. at Tulocay Cemetery in Napa, California.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ilse Maria Kurtovich Brown, please visit our floral store.