Brown, William Dean "Bill" Coon Rapids, MN, passed away surrounded by family on June 3, 2021 after 85 years of life filled with sports, politics, hard work and good times with friends and family. Bill grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where he played baseball, delivered the newspaper, played clarinet, and excelled in math. He went on to graduate from the General Motors Institute as a mechanical engineer, and most importantly, met a nursing student named Norma Arndt. Norma and Bill recently celebrated 63 years of marriage and had four children. Bill worked nearly all of his career at Honeywell, retiring as a director. He also served two years in the United States Army. Outside of work, Bill was a music lover, stock trader, Vikings fan, card player, golfer, pony bettor, tennis player, volunteer youth coach, Toastmaster, political campaign manager and expert pancake maker. He positively impacted his community and family as a natural leader and organizer who strived to make a difference. He is survived by wife Norma Brown, daughters Jennifer Nold (Brad) and Sherry Holcomb (Mark), and son Michael Brown (Julie Westermann). Bill was preceded in death by his daughter Laurie Brown (Bob Fox), who passed away from pancreatic cancer. He is also survived by sisters Deanna Brooker, Della Brandenberger (Bill), Donna Mangia (Joe), and brother Fred Brown. Bill took pride in his eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. A private celebration of life will be held in July. Memorial donations can be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Published on June 13, 2021