Charles Brown

Charles "Chub" W. Brown, age 89, of Willmar, died Saturday afternoon, April 2, at Bethesda Pleasant View Nursing Home in Willmar.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar. Interment will be in the church cemetery with military honors provided by the Willmar American Legion Post #167. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, April 8, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Charles "Chub" William Brown was born on October 21, 1926, in Willmar, Minnesota, the son of Alfred E. and Laura A. (Olson) Brown. Through his mother, Laura, Chub was a great-great grandson of Guri Endreson. He grew up in Willmar with his mother and step-father, Nels "Bill" Jensen. Chub was baptized and confirmed at the First Presbyterian Church and graduated from Willmar High School in 1945. Right after graduation, Chub enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served stateside during World War II. Following his discharge from the service, he attended Gustavus Adolphus College for two years. On July 2, 1949 he joined St. Mary's Catholic Church and on August 19, 1949, Chub was united in marriage to Barbara Ann Lawler. They made their home in Wisconsin where he worked at J.C. Penny Co. for eight years. In 1956, they returned to Willmar and he began employment with the Great Northern Railroad. From 1973 to 1975, Chub and Barbara Ann owned and operated Brown's Dress Shop in downtown Willmar. Later in 1975, Barbara Ann died. On June 19, 1982, Chub was married to Marlene Gilhoi and they made their home in Willmar. Chub was a proud Catholic and faithful member of the Church of St. Mary. He was also a member of the United Transportation Union, the Great Northern Vets and Goats, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the American Legion Post and the Knights of Columbus. He was a volunteer with the People On Watch program, Meals on Wheels and the Kandiyohi County Historical Society. Chub's hobbies included golfing, fishing, feeding the birds, gardening flowers and vegetables and coffee time with his friends.

He is survived by his loving wife, Marlene of Willmar; four children, James (and Jackie) Brown of Willmar, Michael Brown of New London, Ted (and Connie) Brown of Sartell and Margaret Emberland of Willmar; nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Also surviving is a daughter-in-law, Cheryl Brown of Milton, FL., and a step-daughter, Bridget (and Bob) Karg of Willmar, besides other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and step-father; his first wife, Barbara Ann; one son, Scott; one daughter, Pamela; and two children in infancy.

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