Lloyd Brown

Lloyd Edsel Brown was born March 22, 1916 to parents Wiliam and Mary (Johansen) Brown at St. James, MN in the farm house where he lived all of his life. He passed away at the Trimont Care Center on Nov. 13, 2009. He attended rural country school until the 8th grade and then attended St. James High School where he graduated with honors in 1932 at the ripe old age of 16! Lloyd was baptized and confirmed at the 1st Presbyterian Church, St. James. A lifetime member, he later served his Church often and well as Sunday School teacher, usher, deacon and elder. An original member of the Building Task Force, he was thrilled with the completion of the new Social Hall in 2001. Lloyd was the oldest living lifetime member of the 1st Presbyterian Church! In 1948, Lloyd met the love of his life Arla Jeanne Cunningham at the St. James Roller Skating Rink-he joked that she was the only girl he couldn't teach how to roller skate! They married June 24th, 1950 and made their home on the family farm where they spent the next 59 years together, and raised 6 children in a very active household! Lloyd's lifetime passions included his family, church, community and farming. He raised his 5 little girls and Billie with a firm but gentle hand, setting a fine example of hard work, honesty and integrity. He served as clerk of rural school district 66/2502 until its' closing in 1968. He raised Purebred Aberdeen Angus cattle on the Loyarla Angus Farm until his retirement in 1980. In his retirement he continued to be very active--helping his son, Bill on their 4th generation family farm. Lloyd made his last rounds in his Combine at age 90! Always independent, he could fix or build anything and was referred to as Mr. Fix-It around the farm. Lloyd's love of machinery, (Minneapolis Moline, Farmall, Case IH, and Chevrolet)..followed him into his retirement years. He would arrive at his favorite fishing hole with his large Chevy diesel, followed by his 5th wheel trailer, then his boat, all in tandem!! He loved to fish for bullheads and walleye, to camp with friends and family. He also had a great zest for whooping his friends and family at the card game of 500. Lloyd had a contagious, hearty laugh and was a great storyteller. He loved singing whistling hymns country western music. Lloyd is survived: by his wife Arla Jeanne of St. James, MN 6 children: Gayle Olson of New Ulm, MN; Bill (Corinne) Brown of St. James, MN; Jill (Ron) Elliott of Moorhead MN; Lynn (Jim) Wickett of Wilkie, Saskatchewan, Canada; Leanne (Bob) Brinkman of Ogden, UT; and Nancy (John) Flaherty of Lino Lakes, MN. 17 grandchildren: Taylor (Kristen) Olson, Maleah Olson, Pat (Holly) Olson, Lisa (Dave) Sands, Erin (Shaun) Lindquist, Emilie (Manuel) Rivera, Erica Brown, Isaac Brown, Mikale Gustafson, Sarah (Derek) Lundstrom, Bekkah (Matt) Boll, Josh Elliott, Amanda Elliott, Morgan Wickett, Tyler Wickett, Aaron Ebbenga, Cody Brinkman plus 14 great grand-children, sisters-in-law Velma Rogers of Madelia, MN; and Loretta Cunningham of Woonsocket, SD. Lloyd was preceded in death by: his parents; his sister Eileen Penning brother in law Clarence Penning of Pipestone, MN; infant sister Nellie; son in law Leslie Olson and grandson Joe Olson, brothers and sisters in law: Bob Cunningham, JT Ruth Cunningham, Minnie Glen Sprague, Willard Lavon Willock, Viola Belvin Aaseng. Lloyd was able to remain in his home on the farm until the last 3 months of his life, thanks to the wonderful care of his Angels: Maleah Olson, Amanda Schmidt, Linda Becken, Chelsey Madsen, Kathy Frisch, Jenny Arreola, and Cathy Hauer. The patriarch of the Brown Family is gone. What big footprints he has left in his community, church and our world. His wife and family reflect his principles and his faith. He will be greatly missed, but he lives on in the memories in the lives of his wife, his children, grand children and great grandchildren. Who plants a seed beneath the sod and waits to see believes in God.. Lloyds' harvest is complete and the yield is great.