Corinne Marlee Brown

Corinne Marlee Brown, daughter of Joseph Karpen and Bernice (Gulden) Karpen was born September 22, 1958 in New Ulm. Her courageous and inspirational battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) ended with her peaceful passing August 27, 2015 from this life to the next at her home with friends and family present. She attended Hanska Public School, graduated from New Ulm Public School in 1977 and Canby Vocational School with a degree in Food Service Management in 1978. Her work ethic was second to none and her careers included food service in New Ulm, Essig and Colorado, factory work at 3M in New Ulm and Hutchinson, school paraprofessional in St. James Schools and finally beloved Librarian in Hanska until ALS forced her retirement in 2012. Her marriage to Kevin Gustafson brought their son Mikale, her pride and joy, into this world in 1986. Corinne loved to follow her son's endeavors in athletics, particularly baseball. A huge fan of the Hanska Lakers, she attended games right up to the last one of this season with the help of family and friends. In January of 2005, Corinne met "Elvis" at the Hanska Muni. Six weeks later they met again but this time learned his true identity, Bill Brown. The events that followed led to a Love story that Corinne loved to recall with "Once upon a time..." Corinne and Bill discovered they were soul mates and were married June 30, 2007 much to the delight of family and friends. Corinne and Bill set up love and residence on the Brown family farm in St. James where she graced its walls, yard and fields until called to her heavenly home on Friday. Corinne and Bill shared magical trips via their Harleys, the "Good Luck Charm" and the "Good Luck Charm 2." They particularly enjoyed trips to the mountains and toured over 20 states with family and dear friends. Their goal of all 50 states was never realized. Adventures to Mexico, honeymoon in Puerto Rico, a cruise to Alaska were rich of good memories shared with wonderful friends. Many of these adventures came after the diagnosis of ALS in the fall of 2009. Not to be defeated, she and Bill fought back and her team, "Gus Freinds", went on to be tops at the Mankato Walks to defeat ALS from 2010-2015 where Corinne was the number one individual in fundraising the last three years in a row. Corinne's sense of adventure and good mischief was second to none. She enjoyed her coffee hot, her beer cold and stereo loud to the music of John Cougar Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash,Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Emmy Lou Harris and Elvis (sort of...) Her love and prowess of cooking, cleaning, yard keeping and home making were second to none. She was the beloved secretary of the Flying Eagles Motorcycle Club until ALS took away her ability to write. Raised a good Catholic girl, she found an amazing and loving church family at First Presbyterian Church in St. James where she became a member and served a term on its Session after her marriage to Bill. Corinne will be sorely missed by husband Bill of St. James, children Mikale Gustafson of Hanska, Erin (Shaun) Lindquist of Farmington, Emilie (Manuel) Rivera of Hudson, WI, Erica (Ryan) Hermann of Littleton, CO, Isaac Brown of Welcome, brothers Kris Karpen of Hanska, Curtis (Sherry) Karpen of New Ulm, Lee (Judy) Karpen of Lake Crystal, Dean (Peggy) Karpen of San Antonio, TX, 7 grandchildren, mother-in-law Jeanne Brown of St. James, sisters-in-law Gayle Olson of St. Cloud, Jill Elliot of Moorhead, Lynn (Jim) Wickett of Wilkie, Saskatchewan, Canada, Le Anne Brinkmann of Ogden, UT, Nancy (John) Flaherty of Lino Lakes, 10 nieces and nephews, 11 great-nieces and great-nephews, soul sister and best friend, Michele Johnson, her families of First Presbyterian St. James and the Flying Eagles Motorcycle Club, caregivers "Team Corinne": Michele Johnson, Kelly Johnson, Denise Solis, Linda Becken, Kari Heitz, Jo Anne Hacker and Heidi Brooks who allowed her to remain in her home all of her days, a group of close friends more like family fondly referred to as the "Stupid Friends" and the Band "Attitude". Last but not least, her absence will be felt by beloved puppy, Theo, faithful dog Draggin' and Callie the cat. She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph & Bernice Karpen, brother Lynn Karpen and father-in-law Lloyd Brown. Corinne and Bill wish to thank the wonderful folks at Mankato Mayo Hospice who made her comfortable in her last days. Memorials are preferred to go to the ALS Association in the hope that her struggle will help others who follow to experience a cure that did not come in time for her. Do an "Ice Bucket Challenge" and Corinne will be smiling from heaven. Those who knew and loved Corinne have lost a delightful, mischievous angel and heaven has gained one. She is running and dancing in heaven on the legs that could no longer do so on this earth. Her mourning has turned to dancing. Good for her. Blessed be her memory! Visitation 1 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Monday, August 31, 2015 First Presbyterian Church, St. James 706 3rd Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Visitation 2 10:00 am - 11:00 am Tuesday, September 1, 2015 First Presbyterian Church, St. James 706 3rd Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 11:00 am Tuesday, September 1, 2015 First Presbyterian Church, St. James 706 3rd Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Mt. Hope Cemetery, St. James S. CR 27 St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Fellowship Fellowship and lunch will be at the church fellowship hall following burial.