Donald C. Brown

HURLEY, Wis. - Donald C. Brown, 93, formerly of Ironwood Township, Mich., died Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, at Sky View Nursing Center in Hurley.

He was born Feb. 4, 1921, in Ramsay, Mich., son of the late Joseph and Aina (Anderson) Brown, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood in 1939. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on Aug. 4, 1942, proudly serving his country during World War II in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations, and was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant on Jan. 26, 1946.

Following his discharge, Don returned to Ironwood and began a 30-plus year banking career with the Gogebic National Bank, later known as First of America Bank, in Ironwood, retiring as assistant cashier in 1983.

On Sept. 19, 1953, he married the former Lorraine Landers at the First Baptist Church in Ironwood. They resided briefly in Santa Monica, Calif., before making their home in Ironwood. Lorraine preceded Don in death on Oct. 25, 2003.

An avid golfer, he was a member of the Gogebic Country Club in Ironwood, where he volunteered to help organize the Men's League and Youth League. He also won numerous golf tournaments at Gogebic, and was a charter member of Eagle Bluff Golf Club in Hurley. He was an excellent bowler and was part of several team championships. An outstanding fast pitch softball pitcher, Don played for the Norrie Amateur Sports Club along with his brothers in the late 1940s and into the mid-'50s.

Don was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood and formerly served on the church council. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Michigan and formerly served as treasurer of the local March of Dimes. Most importantly, he especially enjoyed spending time with his family. He will be dearly missed.

Surviving are a daughter, Linda (Tim) Dean, Ironwood; two grandchildren, Katie and Jim Dean, both of Chicago; a brother, Arnold (Janet) Brown, Brooklyn Park, Minn .; two nieces, Sandy Brown (Terry Kubalak), Brooklyn Park, and Deb Brown (Brian Ziemniak), Minneapolis; and numerous cousins, including Shirley Remondino, Ardmore, Okla., and Tom Landers, Sarasota, Fla.

Besides his parents and wife, Don was preceded in death by a brother, George; niece, Paula Brown Adamsson; and sister-in-law, Miriam Brown.

Out of respect for Don's wishes, cremation has taken place.

Memorial services will be held Thursday, Feb. 20, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Kurt Kovanen officiating.

Full military honors will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.

Luncheon will follow at the Elk and Hound on Country Club Road in Ironwood.

Private committal and interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Salem Lutheran Church or a charity of one's choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood, where condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Sky View Nursing Center for the compassionate care given to Don over the past year and a half.