64354_Donald James_Brown
ROCKFORD | Donald James Brown, 75, Rockford, died Thursday, March 27, 2014, at his home northwest of Rockford.
A funeral mass for Donald will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2014, at Holy Name Catholic Church, 507 First Ave. N.W., Rockford, with Monsignor Walter Brunkan officiating.
Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery, Rockford.
Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. on Tuesday with a scriptural wake service at 7 p.m. at the church.
Visitation will also be held one hour prior to service time on Wednesday at the church.
Donald was born on October 17, 1938, in Mason City, the son of Robert and Florence (McCarthy) Brown.
Don received his education in the Rockford Community Schools.
He farmed the family homestead until the early 1980s, then drove a school bus for the Rockford Community Schools until his retirement in 2009.
Barbara was introduced to Don by mutual friends Karen and Bob Dow on November 25, 1965. He was united in marriage to Barbara Gardewine on July 8, 1967, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Cartersville, Iowa.
To this union were born three daughters: Anne (Eric) Brown-Reither of Logan, Utah; Mary (Vino) Ramon of Nora Spring; and Sarah (Jon) Dokken of Joice.
Don earned his private pilot’s license and enjoyed flying airplanes and building remote control airplanes.
He was a good steward of his land who truly enjoyed farming and horsemanship.
He was proud to have ridden his bike in RAGBRAI four times, in 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1982.
His other hobbies included fixing antique tractors, photography, working in his yard and garden, and spending time with his family.
Friends could always count on Don to share a joke or story over a cup of coffee.
Don was a lifelong member of Holy Name Catholic Church, 507 First Ave. N.W. in Rockford.
Don was preceded in death by his parents.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife and daughters; grandchildren, Jacob and Emma Ramon, Kirsten Reither, Viola and Alexander Dokken; his sister, Karen (Bill) Hrapchak of Boca Raton, Florida; his niece, Laura; and his nephew, Robert Hrapchak; and his beloved dog, Laddie; as well as other extended family members and friends.
The family would like to suggest that those wishing to give a memorial may direct it to Hospice of North Iowa or to the Fossil and Prairie Conservation Foundation in Rockford.
Sheckler Colonial Chapel, 114 North Hawkeye, Nora Springs, is in charge of the local arrangements, 641-749-2210, www.colonialchapels.com.