Curtis Eugene Brown

Curtis Eugene Brown, age 85 of Markesan, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, May 2, 2016, at the Markesan Resident Home.

Curtis was born on February 5, 1931, in the town of Scott, Columbia County, the son of Walter and Virginia (Rahn) Brown. He was baptized on June 14, 1942, at the Kingston United Methodist Church.

He was raised on a family farm and attended grade school in Princeton and Kingston, graduating from Markesan High School in 1949. On October 13, 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and served his country until 1954 as an aircraft mechanic. Curtis served in the Wisconsin Air National Guard from 1964-1966.

On April 21, 1956, he was united in marriage to the love of his life Nancy (Bender) at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Manchester, WI. Curtis completed his carpenters’ apprenticeship and was a carpenter for over 50 years and was employed by the Joseph Lorenz Co. Hartland, WI, for more than 40 years and several years beyond retirement. He achieved a lifetime award as a Golden Member of the Milwaukee Carpenters Union.

Curtis was a founding member of Faith Lutheran Church and School, Markesan, WI, of which he was an integral part of the construction. Throughout the years he served on the Church Council, School Board, and building committees. He was dedicated to a Christian upbringing for his family. He enjoyed photography, gardening, growing apples, and hunting throughout his life. After his retirement, Curtis took pleasure in the art of woodcarving and working at the Markesan Recycling Center.

Curtis is survived by his wife Nancy of over 60 years; 7 children, Gena (James) Kok of Friesland, Russell (Lila) Brown of Dalton, Timothy (Gena) Brown of Phillips, Janel (Blaine) Kempenaar of Cambria, Stephen (Sarah) Brown of Butternut, Curtis Brown of Markesan and Stephanie (Tim) Wendt of Beaver Dam; 27 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brother Gary (Marsha) Brown of Brandon; sister Vivian Bertram of Waupaca; sister-in-law Beverly Gradel of Beaver Dam; brother-in-law Royce Wrucke of Horicon; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant granddaughter Autumn Rose, brother Ronald and Phyllis Brown, brother-in-law Gene Bertram, and nephew Eric Brown. Also preceded by in-laws Elmer and Dorothy Bender, Eugene Bender, Donald and Lorraine Bender, Robert Gradel and Arline Wrucke; nephews, Matthew, Mark, and John Bender; niece Wendy Schwartz.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2016 from 5-8 P.M. at Markesan Community Funeral Home, 868 North Margaret Street and Friday, May 6th at Faith Lutheran Church beginning at 9:30 A.M. until the hour of service.

A funeral service for Curtis will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, May 6, 2016, at Faith Lutheran Church, N1529 State Road 73, Markesan with Pastor Mike Schierenbeck officiating. Burial will follow in the Phelps Cemetery with military honors provided by American Legion Abendroth Connolly Post 282.