Donald Brown, 85, of Scranton, ND, passed away on May 8, 2020 at the Western Horizons Care Center in Hettinger.

Private family services will be held.

There will be public visitation for Don on Thursday, May 14, 2020 from 12-9 at the Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Home Chapel in Bowman.

Donald LeRoy Brown, 85, joined our Heavenly Father, on Friday, May 8, 2020, at the Western Horizons Care Center in Hettinger, ND. Many times, you would hear him say, "I lived a good life, I got the girl I wanted, the land I wanted to farm and two sons to follow in my footsteps…it is everything a man could want."

He was a beloved husband to his wife of 65 years, Avril (Kalisiak) Brown; a devoted father to his three sons, Randy (Renee) of Scranton ND; Jeff (Lynn) of Scranton ND; Mike (Karen) of Bismarck ND; and one daughter, Lori (Adrian) Hafner of Highlands Ranch CO; a proud grandfather to 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Don was born in Bowman, ND, on January 19, 1935, son of Edward and Marie (Smith) Brown. The day he was born, God knew He had created the perfect farmer. Farming ran thick through his veins; even during his last days, you could hear him talking about fixing fence, milking cows, or chasing the cows that had gotten out.

Don attended his early elementary school years at Buffalo Springs. When his older brother, Earl, began high school, Don then started 5th grade at Scranton. Basketball was a big part of his high school days, as he became part of the team during his 8th-grade year. With his contribution of mastering an unstoppable inside shot, the Miners had a good solid team. Following graduation, he continued to play ball in an independent league with a group of friends that had the same passion for the game as he did. His love for the game was passed down to all of his children and many of his grandchildren. He would make sure to start milking a little earlier on the days that there were home games, and his children could always count on him standing against the wall cheering them on and making sure the officiating was fair! He wanted to make sure the love of basketball was spread over any athlete in the community that wanted to improve their skills. In the summer of 1970, he asked Teddy Uecker to work with the boys on their basketball skills: hence the first basketball camp in southwestern ND. The first year the basketball camp was held in Teddy's backyard, and the following year they moved the camp to Richardton, ND and used the Abbey facility to host the camp, which was directed by Dave Wolsky.

He married his high school sweetheart on February 13, 1955, Avril Kalisiak. The two of them worked side by side, tirelessly for 60 years to build a very successful operation. They stayed busy year-round raising beef cattle and hogs and were in the dairy business for over 45 years, building it to meet Grade-A standards. Though he loved his animals, nothing gave him more pleasure than watching the seeds that he planted in the spring turn into bountiful crops in the fall. In the last 5 years, they both considered themselves "retired" farmers. Still, they relished being able to listen to Randy and Jeff share their daily experiences with farming. He looked forward to every chance that the boys would take him out to the field during harvest so he could ride with Zac while he combined.

In 2016, the family farm was named a Centennial Farm by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, a recognition given to farms owned and operated by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years. Not only did he keep farming in the family, he ran his farm with the utmost pride. In November 2015, he was honored at a banquet where he was named "Farmer and Rancher of the Year," by the Bowman Area Chamber of Commerce. This award gave him great pleasure and a feeling of accomplishment for all the years of hard work he devoted to the family farm.

He was an active board member of Peace Lutheran Church, where he served as President and was also instrumental in organizing the first booster club for the Scranton Miners. Donny also served on the Bowman County fair board and was an active 4-H leader. Fair time was something he always looked forward to. His children and grandchildren were in 4-H, and during that time, the Stateline Lads and Lassies would bring their livestock to the farm as they prepared for the fair. He enjoyed watching the kids, and he greatly cherished the company of the families as they shared a potluck meal after the workouts. Come fair weekend, you would find him leaning up against the fence during the livestock sale, checking out the best animals showing that year.

Welcoming him to heaven with open arms are his parents, Edward and Marie; brother, Earl Brown; sister; Ilabelle Nelson, infant sister; Clara Brown, mother and father-in-law; Frank and Helen Kalisiak.