Fourth Generation

19. William Henry "Bill" BROWN Jr. was born on 2 June 1931 in La Crosse, La Crosse County, WI.³⁶ He died on 28 February 2021 at the age of 89 in Sparta, Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁶

Obituary Notes: "William Henry Brown Jr. (Bill) passed away peacefully on February 28, 2021 at Rolling Hills in Sparta, Wisconsin. He was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin on June 2nd, 1931 to Louise A. (Storkel) and William Henry Brown.

The family moved to Tomah, Wisconsin in April, 1944 and continued to operate the Tomah Greenhouse there after the death of Louise’s father, Louis Storkel, Sr. Bill loved to tell the story of how Louis moved here with 17 cents in his pocket to start the Tomah Greenhouse and Fruit Farm, the largest of its kind in the state.

Bill graduated from Tomah High School in 1949 and later enlisted in the U.S. Army in February 1951. He served at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico until his discharge in 1954. He later took part in the Vets Roll conducted for older veterans. He often expressed how touched and honored he was to take part in their trips.

After his service, he attended Michigan State University where he studied Horticulture. He met his future wife, Helen Miller, at the university. They had 3 children and later divorced.

Bill was employed at the VA Medical Center in Tomah as a Horticultural Therapist from 1957-1996. Growing flowers for the VA grounds to help soothe the stress of veterans was rewarding and a source of pride for him.

Bill and his mother also arranged for the Brown family to sponsor a World War I veteran at the VA, Morrice Gilbertson. He became an employee of the Tomah Greenhouse until his death and became well known in Tomah for his kindness, especially to kids in the neighborhood. A house was built for “Gilly” behind the Greenhouse.

Bill served on the Board of Directors for the VA Credit Union (now the RIA), Oak Grove Cemetery Association, and the Tomah Housing Authority. He was a member of the American Legion 201 for over 60 years and was a charter member of the Blue-Sky Investment Club, which averaged 15 members and ran for 56 years.

Bill enjoyed flowers and gardening, puttering in his workshop, fishing, hunting, and trips to the casino and track. He loved woodworking and made many bird houses and clocks for others. Bill had many friends with whom he enjoyed good conversation over breakfast. Especially important to him were friends Lois Rathbun (deceased) and Phil "Beanie" Schroeder.

Bill is survived by his three children Michael, Teresa, and Timothy Brown; grandchildren Justina (Michael) Gemignani and Christopher Brown; great-grandchildren Jocelyn, Sabrina, and Valerie Gemignani; and nephews Steve (Annette) Sowle and Brian (Bryan Kaplan) Sowle.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louise and Henry, sister Carol and brother-in-law Harvey “Buster” Sowle.

A Celebration on Life will be held for Bill at Winnebago Park on Saturday, August 14th, 2021. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Tomah American Legion Post #201 or the North American Squirrel Association, NASA”.

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William Henry "Bill" BROWN Jr. and Helen MILLER were married about 1955.^2,36 They^2,36 were divorced before 2021.³⁶ Helen MILLER was born (date unknown).

William Henry "Bill" BROWN Jr. and Helen MILLER had the following children: