Donald “Donnie” Brown

Sawyer

Donald “Donnie” Arnold Brown passed away the evening of September 16, 2024, in Sawyer, North Dakota. He passed in the home he built with his bride of over 50 years, Cecelia “Chicki” Brown. In heaven, he will reunite with his mother, father, sister, and many other family members. When the time comes, he will be joined by his loving family and friends.

Donnie was born September 26, 1953, in Minot, ND, to Janice Darling (Klinner) and George Arnold Brown. On March 25, 1955, Janice and George added Donnie’s younger sister, Donna Darlene Brown to their family. Donnie met the love of his life, Cecelia “Chicki” Lynette Deplazes at Towner School. Chicki used to think that his jokes, non-stop talking, and teasing were annoying, however, she soon got to know how wonderful he was and came to love this man. Donnie and Chicki were married on December 28, 1973, and they spent the rest of his life together. Donnie and Chicki had four children, Emma, Ivy (Keith Hilde), Lucas (Erin), and Donnie (Samantha). They had eight grandchildren: Westin, Wyatt, Madisyn, Adriana, Edison, Ryker, Camden, and Karter. Donnie is remembered as an outstanding friend and family member.

Donnie was creative, commanding, hard-working, humorous, and loving. He worked in his companies; Brown Construction and American Builders until he decided to stop working and spend the rest of his days with the people he loved. He was an outstanding father and grandfather. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, traveling to Sturgis, SD, and hunting. He spent his time at the lake, at auctions, making jokes, breaking the rules, and giving people projects to complete. Most of all, he cherished spending time with his family. He enjoyed letting his grandchildren sit on his lap to steer, taking them to the gas station for snacks, teaching them how to fish and hunt, and giving his family drawings that were works of art. He introduced his children and grandkids to the world of construction and showed them just how far the imagination can go. Donnie was an extraordinary artist, comedian, boss, and friend. There is no possible way to summarize just how wonderful this man was. Just to know him was an incredible gift in itself.

Don was loved, adored, appreciated, and cherished by his family and friends. He will be remembered as a family-man who loved with all his heart, a jokester who always found a way to add light to any situation, and a great guy that gave a helping hand, advice, or direction whenever it was needed. He will be loved until the end of days and continue to live on in the hearts of his family and friends.

Don’s family would like to thank all of the staff at the KDU at Trinity Hospital in Minot for the kind, gentle, compassionate care they provided to him over the past 5 years. He absolutely loved you. Your amazing care contributed to his fight to the very end. Thank you for taking care of our husband, dad, and grandpa!

Join us for a CELEBRATION of Don’s life on Saturday, October 12th, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Gallows Hall on Main St. in Towner, ND. Wear your Harley gear!

Please send memorials in Don’s name to the American Cancer Society.

Ryker wished he could tell Grandpa one more time, “No, I don’t have that $20 he thought I owed him.”

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at www.thompsonlarson.com.

Published by The Minot Daily News, September 26, 2024.