Jeffrey Ethan Brown, 60, of North Kansas City, MO passed away on April 26, 2025, after a brief illness.

Jeff was born June 15th, 1964, in Watertown, South Dakota to Benjamin (Bud) Brown and Sherry (Haugen) Rowley. He was soon joined by a younger sister, Jennifer, and raised in Hawarden, Iowa. After high school graduation, he attended Sioux Empire College, earning an Associate of Arts Degree. He then when on to the University of South Dakota, graduating with a B.S. in Psychology in 1986. During his time at USD, he was a proud member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, meeting many lifelong friends.

After graduation, Jeff began dating Shelley Hartman. They were soon engaged and married on April 30th, 1988, in Alcester, South Dakota. They welcomed two daughters, Julia and Maggie, raising them both in Alcester.

Jeff began his restaurant career at the Northlander restaurant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After this experience, Jeff and Shelley decided to operate a local restaurant of their own. They took over the Alcester Steakhouse in 1989, operating it successfully for 28 years. They employed hundreds from the Alcester region over those years, including countless teenagers who learned directly from Jeff the meaning of hard work and discipline. The relationships fostered during their ownership continue to last to this day. His pride and joy were operating that kitchen and contributing to the community through its service.

In Alcester, Jeff spent his time away from the Steakhouse in numerous activities. He was a proud Alcester Volunteer Firefighter for 26 years, starting in 1991. He spent every free moment in warm weather at the Alcester Golf Course, where he also oversaw operations through many of its ownership periods. He was a dedicated member of Nathanael Lutheran Church in Alcester, serving as both Church Council member and President. He was a steady presence in the lives of many, known for his reliability, humor, and generosity.

After selling the Steakhouse, Jeff and Shelley moved to Kansas City to be closer to their daughters. Jeff continued his chef career at the University of Missouri, Kansas City and the Federal Reserve before starting a new adventure teaching at Park Hill South High School. This job was the last of his life, but also one he found the most fulfilling, as he was a Teacher's Assistant for the Special Education department.

Grateful for sharing in his life is his wife of 37 years, Shelley Brown; his two daughters, Julia (Andrew) Oleen and Maggie (Austin Cooney) Brown; granddaughter, Elizabeth Oleen; mother Sherry Rowley; sister Jennifer (Tim) Ehde; mother-in-law, Janet Hartman; and brother-in-law, Wade (Stacey) Hartman. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather, and his family was the center of his life.

Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Benjamin (Bud) Brown; stepfather, Paul Rowley; and father-in-law, Eldean (Short) Hartman.

A service to honor and remember Jeff's life will be held on Saturday, May 24th at 2:00 p.m. at Nathanael Lutheran Church. Additional celebration will occur after the service at the Alcester Fire Department, starting at 4:00 p.m.

Jeff Brown will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege to know him.