Charles James Brown

Charles James (Jim) Brown, 77, Kasson, Minnesota, died Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota from kidney failure and heart attack.

Charlie was born August 22, 1941 in Rolla, North Dakota to Charles and Rita (Schaefer) Brown. He graduated from Rolla High School in 1959. He enrolled in St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN, where he completed his freshman year. He transferred to NDSU in Fargo, ND, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Composite Science Education. He went on to complete a Masters of Science in biology at UND in Grand Forks, ND.

He began his 31 year teaching career in Dilworth, MN, then Grafton, ND before moving to Grand Forks.  He taught in several different schools in the Grand Forks system beginning with Twining Junior High, South Junior High, and Central High School. His teaching assignments were Life Science, Biology, Geology, and Algebra.  In 1997 he retired after 27 years of teaching in the Grand Forks school system.

For 33 years he lived in Grand Forks and enjoyed curling at the Grand Forks Club.  He retired to Lake of the Woods where he lived for 12 years and enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, woodworking, exploring the woods, substitute teaching, and visiting with all his neighbors at the lake.  He looked forward to entertaining friends and relatives who came to visit and fish. In 2012, he and Gloria moved to Kasson, MN to be near family and medical care.

Charlie had one son, Michael from his first marriage.  In 1969, he married Gloria Halvorson Brown and became a caring stepfather to her two daughters, Sheri and Susan.  For 49 ½ years he was a very loving husband and father who will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria, Kasson, MN; son, Michael (Tammy) Brown of Aurora, CO; stepdaughters, Sheri Solum of Edmond, OK and Susan Kelpin of Jamul, CA; and several cousins. Though Charlie had no siblings he inherited a family when he married Gloria.  He is survived by brother-in-law, Gale (Lou) Halvorson of Roseau, MN; sister-in-law, Nancy (Dave) Peterson of Hayfield, MN and Norman (Connie) Berg of Roseau, MN. He dearly loved his nieces and nephews and is survived by Tina Baudoin, Mantorville, MN, Michael Peterson, Hayfield, MN, Stephen (Jessica) Berg, Woodbury, MN, Tammy (Kurt) Dahlquist, Roseau, MN, Marc (Katie) Halvorson, Roseau, MN.  His great nieces and nephews were a source of pride and joy for Charlie and he took in as many of their school activities as he could.  Since he participated in high school band and choir he especially liked to hear the band and choir concerts at the Kasson Mantorville High School. Great nieces and nephews are Trina and Toni Fjerstad, Drew Baudoin, Avery and Jake Halvorson, Andrea (Ryan) Sprabary, Weston and Britton Sprabary, Owen, Lucas, and Josh Berg.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Rita Brown; several aunts and uncles; sister- in- law, Sally Halvorson Berg; brothers- in- law, Gary and David Halvorson; and father and mother- in- law, Gaylord and Rose Halvorson.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at West St. Olaf Lutheran Church, 70640 260 Ave, Hayfield, MN 55940.  Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Inurnment will take place at West St. Olaf Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to West St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Grand Forks Foundation for Education, Salvation Army, or a charity of your choice.

To share a special memory or condolence please visit www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 801 7 ^th St SE Kasson, MN 55944 (507)634-6510.

Blessed be his memory.