live in Fairbault, MN. Charles R. Brown died in 1974 and is buried in the Pleasant View Cemetery.

Brown, William and Karen (Grindeland)

(Karen (Grindeland) Brown)

William Robert Brown was born in Decorah to Ned and Emma (Brynsaas) Brown. He is the youngest child in the Brown family. He had 5 sisters and 1 brother. They are: Harriet Leidahl, Harris Brown, Dorothy Brooks, Lorraine Severson, Shirley Schick and Sadie Sersland. William was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Decorah and spent his childhood in a rural home in Winneshiek Co.

William R. and Karen Brown

Karen Elaine (Grindeland) Brown was born  at the Smith Memorial Hospital in Decorah to Kenneth and Edna (Wendling) Grindeland.  Karen was the middle child of 3 daughters. Her sisters are: Joanne Helland of Cedar Falls, IA and Linda Johnson of Des Moines, IA. Karen was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Locust, IA and grew up on a farm 15 miles north of Decorah.

William and Karen both graduated from Decorah High School. They were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church at Locust on 8 Dec 1962. After high school graduation Karen worked as a secretary for Norwegian Mutual Insurance in Decorah for 5 years with Hillman Sersland and Walter Hove. William was employed at Berge, Inc. (a construction firm) since his high school graduation in 1959. They bought a home at 612 West Water Street in Decorah on 1 Jan 1964. In 1977 they sold that home to Mike and Carol Daughton and purchased a home at 410 Pleasant Flill Drive from Spec and Cassie Collins. Their home has a spectacular view of the city of Decorah. The scene changes with every new season. In 1979 they bought Norman Berge’s business - Berge, Inc. - and it became Brown Builders, Inc. (a general construction business) where the Browns continue to work.

The William R. Brown family Left to right: Klint and Cindy Kjeldahl, Dean and Pam Haugen, Karen and William Brown and Nicholas, Jonel and Todd Brown.

They have 3 children: Todd Alan Brown , married Jonel Saracoff 1 Aug 1987. They have two sons, Nicholas  and Matthew Ryan . Todd is a Computer Analyst at Marshfield Medical Clinic in Marshfield, Wl and Jonel teaches 6th grade English in Neillsville, Wl, her home town.

Pamela Jo Brown  married Dean Jeffrey Haugen 29 Apr 1995. Pam works as a Legal Assistant at Briggs and Morgan, a law firm in Minneapolis. Dean is a Mortgage Coordinator for Norwest Mortgage in Minneapolis.

Cynthia Ann Brown, their youngest child, was born onthe Brown’s wedding anniversary. Todd wanted to name her “Anniversary", so her middle name became Ann. She married Klint Kjeldahl 11 Jul 1992. Cindy teaches kindergarten for the Osseo School District of Minneapolis and Klint is a Cytologist at Fairview Riverside Hospital in Minneapolis.

All three of their children and spouses (all six) are graduates of Luther College in Decorah. What an investment in their futures and also the college! 111!

William and Karen are active members of Decorah Lutheran Church and past League Advisors. He has served on many committees at church and is a past President of the Congregation and Ushers Club. He is an active businessman in the Decorah community, very active in Rotary Club and is the 1995 President of the Decorah Rotary Club.

Brown, Walter “Wally” and Merlene (Rosendahl)

(Elsie Rosendahl)

Walter Eugene “Wally" Brown was born in St. Paul, MN to Jack and Margery Ann (Oehlke) Brown. His father was born  in St. Paul and his mother was born  in Prescott, Wl. Jack and Margery were married at Salem Lutheran Church, Woodbury, MN 12 Sep 1953.

Wally has a brother, Robert Matthew  and 2 sisters: Marie Lynette  and an adopted sister Susan Kay .

Wally married Merlene Marie Rosendahl  the daughter of Merlin Phillip and Elsie Lavonne (Moen) Rosendahl. Merlin was born  in Glenwood Twp. near Decorah and Elsie was born