Paula Beth (Wildgen) Brown  passed away March 24th, 2025 in Sarasota, FL at the age of 85.

She was born on November 8th, 1939 in Great Bend, KS to Judge Maurice A Wildgen and Pauline E (Yeager) Wildgen. She was a middle sister to Susanne (Wildgen) Haymaker and Maureen (Wildgen) Outcalt. She was raised in Larned, KS and graduated from Larned High School in 1957 where she played saxophone in the band and loved singing and sports.

Besides being greatly talented in music, she excelled in tennis and golf. Paula then went on to Kansas State University graduating in 1961 with a major in Political Science. Following graduation, she worked in Washington D.C. during the John F. Kennedy administration. Paula first worked for Congressman Breeding from Kansas. During this period, she and the wife of Breeding dropped in at the hotel room of Harry and Bess Truman to thank them for their support of Breeding who eventually lost his congressional seat to Bob Dole. After his defeat she worked for Senator Young and finally Congressman Pepper. From the U.S. Congress, Paula was employed at the Brookings Institute, a Washington think tank, as conference secretary and did conferences in the Philippines, Mexico and many places worldwide. During this time Paula gave two public music recitals showing off her beautiful voice. She also met her future husband, Robert Brown.

Paula and Bob were married on September 6th, 1969 in Washington D.C. Their marriage spanned over 55 years. Paula and Bob then moved to Kansas City where Bob attended law school and Paula was employed at The American Academy of Family Physicians as a conference secretary.  Paula traveled from coast to coast during her employment. After Bob completed law school they moved back to the Washington/Baltimore area to establish a law practice. They worked together for over thirty years in this practice. Paula and Bob then retired to Sarasota, FL after the turn of the century. Paula continued with her music and sang in the church choir for the Pope in Rome on a personal invitation, she was in the center of the choir.

Paula spent much of her free time going home to Kansas and visiting her family there. In fact, these visits were the best of times for her. Paula had a great appreciation for history, her Midwestern roots and was an avid follower of politics.

Paula is survived by her husband Robert Brown, sister Susanne (Robert) Haymaker of Larned; many nieces and nephews and countless friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Maurice and Pauline Wildgen and sister Maureen (Wildgen) Outcalt.

Funeral mass will be 11:00 a.m  Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Larned, with Father Anselm Eke, MSP presiding. Visitation will be 4:00-5:00 p.m. Monday, April 7, 2025 at Beckwith Mortuary. Burial will be in Larned Cemetery.

Services in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.