Obituary
Charles Arthur Brown
Charles Arthur Brown, 81, of La Crosse, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse. He was born on June 28, 1934 to Leo and Capitola Brown. He married Mary Delores Moore on February 27, 1954 in Nichols, IA.
Charles and Delores were in the retail business all of their adult lives which began managing three stores in southeast Iowa, followed by management of their own business, Brown’s Department Store in Lansing, IA for 17 years. They moved to Eau Claire, WI and managed the Samuelson Stores, and finished his career as a department manager at Menards in La Crosse, WI.
Charles enjoyed fishing, watching college football, collecting antiques, restoring rocking chairs, cracking black walnuts, and travelling. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Charles is survived by his children, Charles S (Connie) Brown, Dana (Dan) Malin, Curt Brown, Craig Brown, Darcy (Brook) Baumann, Danette (Steven) Melsness; 15 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; sister, Barbara (Don) Bellfi; sisters in law, Shirley Wilkerson, Frances (Jerry) McGill, Sheryl (Stan) Van de Walle, Mary Lou Moore; brothers in law, Jim (Melinda) Moore, Kenny (Debbie) Moore; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 58 years, Delores; father and mother in law, Woodrow (Helen) Moore; son, Chris Brown; and brothers in law, Ronald Wilkerson and Joe Moore.
The family would like to thank Dr. Finstad and staff at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, and Dawn Jorstad with the La Crosse County Aging Unit.
A Mass of Christian buial will be held at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1031 Main Street, Onalaska, WI. with visitation from 4:00pm until the time of the mass.
Coulee Region Cremation Group and funeral home is assisting the family.
You will be surrounded by love Tuesday and Wednesday. I hope you take comfort in all your loving memoried.
Dana, Dan and Family,
We are sorry to hear about your Dad (Grandpa & Great Grandpa).
Cherish all of your wonderful memories….they will be with you forever!
Sending Our Sincere Sympathy to All of You.
Janet & Gary
Hello, I am Charles’ first cousin, Martha from Wapello, Iowa. My father was Robert Erwin and mother Marcella Gates Erwin. Barbara notified my sister and I of Charles passing. Although I haven’t seen him for years I have very fond memories of your family. When I was in HD and your family would come to town I would babysit!
We were saddened to hear about the loss of your dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
I am sorry for your loss. He will be greatly missed. I know Charles and Joe enjoyed visiting when they would see each other. There are many great memories. I wish I could be there but my thoughts and prayers are with you.
To the Brown family, you have my deepest sympathy with the passing of your father. Charlie and I were good friends when he worked at Menards. We made a pact about 20 some years ago to quit smoking and we had success, thank God. He told me if he ever caught me smoking again it would cost me 5.00 dollars. So one morning when he was coming in the gate I held a white ball point pen to my mouth and you should have heard him, thinking he had caught me. Anyway God bless your entire family in this trying time. Curtis & Joyce Rice.