Kenneth Gilbert Brown was born October 9, 1919 in Sansarc, South Dakota, the son of Gilbert and Grace (Gensler) Brown. At age 5, the family moved to Benson, Minnesota, where he attended rural elementary school and graduated from Benson High School. In September 1941 he enrolled in the United States Maritime Service and was sent to Hoffman Island, NY, for training to become able-bodied seaman in the Merchant Marine. After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, training was shortened, and enrollees were only eligible for a lifeboatman ticket. After completing training, he served on an oil tanker that operated between New York City and Carapita, Venezuela. In September, he enlisted in the United States Navy, and served on ships, mostly in the southwest Pacific Ocean until January 1946. In 1949, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and earned a degree in journalism in 1953. For the next 28 years, he spent reporting for or editing newspaper in Spencer, IA, Two Harbors, MN, and LaCrosse, WI. On July 31, 1959, Ken and Marguerite Gay Catlin were married in Two Harbors, MN. She died September 7, 2009, but they shared more than 50 years together. Ken was a member of the International Crane Foundation, Emily's List, Democratic National Committee, People for the American Way, and Greenpeace. Among the things he enjoyed were soil conservation, forestry, wildlife, fishing, canoeing, cross country skiing and jogging. Ken was called from this life on October 19, 2011 at Bethesda Heritage Nursing Home in Willmar. He attained the age of 92 years, and 10 days. Ken is survived by a brother, Lloyd (Kitty) Brown; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his wife Marguerite, his parents and three sisters.
