Donald A. Brown, 84, of Rochester died Thursday, March 29, 2012 at St. Marys Hospital following a week long illness.

A memorial service with Masonic rites will be held Saturday, March 31, at 11 a.m. at River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester with Pastor Dave Berg officiating.  Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service.  Interment with military honors will follow the memorial service at Oakwood Cemetery.

Donald Arthur Brown was born July 1, 1927 at St. Marys Hospital to Arthur August Brown and Amalia Amanda (Tietz) Brown.  He grew up in Rochester and the surrounding area and graduated from Rochester High School in 1945.  He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Sea-bees at the end of WWII.  Following his honorable discharge he returned to Rochester and was united in marriage to Emogene L. ("Dusty") Rhodes on September 11, 1948.  The couple lived in Rochester throughout their married life.  Early in his career Don worked as an electrician at the Mayo Clinic.  Later on he started his own business as an independent electrical contractor in partnership with his brother and father, eventually becoming sole owner.  He was involved in the Rochester electrical apprentice program, and was respected by his peers in the construction trades.

As a youth Don was an active boy scout who loved the outdoors.  He played hockey on a number of local Rochester teams, eventually playing for the Rochester Mustangs.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman making trips to Canada, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Michigan, and northern Minnesota for elk, deer, moose, pheasant, walleye, and salmon.  He loved the Grand Marais area and the North Shore of Lake Superior, especially in the fall.  He raised and trained Labrador retrievers for Field and Trial competition, and was a respected judge.  There was not a dog who did not respond to his steady voice and kind manner with loyal enthusiasm.  Don was a Mason and a member of the VFW.

Don loved Westerns, especially John Wayne movies – his favorite was "True Grit."  He enjoyed country western music, woodworking, and gardening.  He never turned down a ripe home grown tomato, a good steak, or a cold beer.  He had coffee with "the boys" every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning at Grandma's Kitchen.  In 2009 he and his wife moved to Shorewood Senior Campus.  There he played poker and cribbage several times a week…and usually came out ahead.  He was a loving husband and devoted father, with a deep love for his family.

He is survived by his wife, Dusty, of 63 years; one sister, Bette Colebeck of Rochester;  step-brother Richard "Dick" Gerlach of North Palm Beach, Florida; daughters Lynnette (Mark) Stadtherr of Stewartville, Michele (David) Vanderburg of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and Wendy Brown of Spring Valley; eight grandchildren, Eric Stadtherr of Mankato,  Kelsey Stadtherr of Stewartville, Lindsey (Rod) Fleming of Raleigh, North Carolina, Sean (Shannon) Vanderburg of Garner, North Carolina, Aaron (Ellen) Burt of Spring Valley, and Jade Burt, Allison Burt, and Drew Burt, all of Rochester; and two great-grandchildren, Aurora Halling and Charlotte Burt.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother Jesse  Brown, sisters Shirley Lightner and Jeanine Juhnke, and step-brother, Charles W. "Bill" Gerlach.

Memorials are preferred to the family.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com