Alene Brill

Alene Brill, 90, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Friday, November 26, 2010, at the Great River Medical Center in West Burlington, IA. Funeral services for Mrs. Brill will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, November 30th, at the Salem Congregational Church in Salem, IA with Pastor Aaron Helterbran officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church that morning. Burial will be in the Salem East Cemetery. Memorials have been established to the Salem Congregational Church and the Salem East Cemetery. The daughter of Olin and Clara Rebecca (Howes) Harrison, Mary Alene was born on August 1, 1920, in Burlington, IA. She graduated from Hillsboro High School and attended Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls. On June 7, 1942, Alene married Austin Brill in Kahoka, MO. He preceded her in death on October 20, 2003. After receiving her teaching certificate, Alene taught country school in rural Henry County for two years. Very involved with her family, she was a homemaker and assisted her husband with his medical practice for many years. Alene was a member of the Salem Congregational Church. Over the years she also attended Calvary Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant and Oakland Mills Community Church. A skilled pianist and organist, Mrs. Brill played for several churches. She liked sewing and playing cards. In later years, following retirement, she enjoyed participating in several Bridge clubs. Mrs. Brill was a member of the Salem Eastern Star for over fifty years. Mrs. Brill is survived by two daughters, Mary Lou (Dewyane) Hall of Salem, IA, and Merna Jo (Gary) Meeker of Davenport, IA; one son, Hoyt (Norma) Brill of Burlington, CO; one brother Gene (Bobbie) Howes of Hamilton, IL; and a sister, Margery Durbin of Wever, IA. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. Along with her parents and husband, Mrs. Brill was preceded in death by a great-grandson.