Obituary of Robert Dean Brown

Robert “Bob” Dean Brown, 87 of Colesburg, was born September 19, 1936 to Elmer K “Mike” and Marguerite (Hansel) Brown in Millville, Iowa. He passed away peacefully at home on his beloved farm on February 5, 2024.

Bob attended country school in Mallory Township for one year, then attended and graduated from Colesburg High School in 1954. He played on the 1952 state championship baseball team. After graduation, he farmed with his father and worked in construction until enlisting in the United States Army. He served in the transportation unit at Fort Devens, Massachusetts from April 1959 to April 1961.

While in the Army, he married Janet Rose Bockenstedt on December 30, 1959, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Greeley, Iowa. Bob & Janet started their married life in Leominster, MA and moved back to Colesburg in 1961. They started farming next door to where Bob grew up on Skip Level Road. Four children were born to this union, and together they milked cows, raised hogs and beef cattle; growing the farm over the years. One of Bob’s greatest joys was being a farmer, and he loved living on Skip Level for over 75 years of his life.

Over the years, Bob was a 4-H leader, served on the Ed-Co school board, the Keystone AEA board, and the Clayton County Planning & Zoning board. He was a longtime member of the William F Brockmeyer American Legion Post #582 and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church where he served as a eucharistic minister.

Bob didn’t know a stranger. He loved to laugh and was often telling jokes. After retiring from milking, he enjoyed his morning coffee with the gang at the hog buying station. He valued education and was proud of sending all four kids to Iowa State University. Bob loved spending time with his family, Gator rides around the farm checking on his cattle, cheering on the Cyclones, traveling all over the US and abroad, and wintering in AZ. Bob enjoyed wood carving and spending time in his wood shop.

Bob is survived by his wife of 64 years, Janet. His children, Daniel (Ann) of Janesville, Douglas (Mary) of Colesburg, Barbara (James) Hunt of Cedar Rapids and Beth (Bryce) Caple of Maxwell. Twelve grandchildren: Alicia (Roy) Burgess-Brown, Nathan (LeAnn) Brown, Robert “Rob” Brown (Romina), Kayla (Justin) Burkle, Brady Brown, Avery Brown, Gregory (Vivian) Hunt, Grant (Audrey) Hunt, Emma (Brady) Holst, Drake Caple, Creighton Caple and Hannah Caple. Great-grandchildren: Roan, Stella, Georgia and Alexandria. Sisters-in-law: Rosalie Brunkan and LouAnn Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Kenneth Brown, and brother-in-law Joe Brunkan.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at St. Patrick’s Parish Center in Colesburg.

Funeral services will commence at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Colesburg with burial at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Greeley, Iowa. Rev. Philip Agyei will officiate with Deacon Paul Dolan assisting.

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family and information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com.  Memorials may be sent to the family, (in care of Kramer Funeral Home) 750 12^th Ave SW, Dyersville, IA  52040.