Don Brown

Donald George was born on January 28, 1927, in Turtle Creek Township, Todd County, to Thomas & Elizabeth (Biermaier) Brown.  He attended school in District 161 through the 8th grade.  He grew up working on the family farm until he reached the age of 21.  Don then moved to Minneapolis in 1948 and began his career working for the J.L. Shiely Company as a Heavy Equipment Operator.  He worked his entire 42-year career for the J.L. Shiely Company and was a proud member of the Local 49, Operating Engineers for 42 years. 

After retirement, he and his wife Ann traveled to Mission, Texas during the winter months and made many life-long friends there.  They enjoyed many years at their lake home on Pine Island Lake in Cushing; his pride & joy his entire life.  Don was an avid hunter and fisherman.  He shot his last deer at the age of 85 right from the deck of their lake home.  He still cut and hand split wood up until he was 89.  Don loved to play cards, he and Ann played every week at the Vet’s Club in Browerville.  Don love to tease, made friends easily and enjoyed talking to strangers.  He always said they were only a stranger if you did not talk to them.

Don is survived by his children:  Raymond (Donelle) Brown of Hugo, Linda Podgorski of Plymouth, Pat (Fritz) Wegscheider of Maplewood, Debra (Greg) Ducharme of Ham Lake, George (Patty) Brown of Cedar, son-in-law Ron Twardowksi of Roseville; 13 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; siblings:  Andrew (Dorothy) Brown, Thomas (Betty) Brown and many nieces, nephews, close friends and his cat Boots.

Don is preceded in death by his parents; loving wife Ann of 69 years; daughter Teri Twardowski, granddaughter Ashley Christenson; siblings:  Jerry, Raymond, Wilbur, Kenneth, Joseph, Elizabeth Host, and infant sister Marie.

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