Michael Brown, 75

Michael Douglas Brown 

Mike (age 75) peacefully passed April 16, ending the yearslong grip of dementia that plagued him. He was born May 6, 1950, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, to Mildred (Shreve) and Douglas Brown.

Mike moved with his Mom and four of his six siblings to his aunt and uncle’s farm in Cougar Gulch in 1959. During his time living in the Gulch, Mike learned farming and life skills from his Uncle Will that gave him the foundation to become the smart, successful, giving and humble person he was. The farming spirit never left Mike; he grew bountiful vegetable and berry gardens, and kept a small hobby farm where he fenced acres of land, bucked tons of hay and helped care for his wife’s, kids’ and grandkids’ horses, cows, goats and every other farm animal they brought home. 

Mike graduated from Coeur d’ Alene High School, Class of 1968. Following graduation, he served four years with the U.S. Navy, stationed in Okinawa, Japan, serving as a medical corpsman with the U.S. Marine Corps. He met Becky Steve when he went to Templin’s Restaurant to visit his mom at work after arriving back in town from his Naval discharge. They married August of 1974 and settled in the Coeur d’Alene area. Mike worked in the telecommunications industry starting as a heavy equipment operator and retiring as a project manager. As a way to keep busy during his retirement years, he worked for the Coeur d’Alene School District 271 as a bus driver with routes that served the kindergarten, Woodland Middle School and numerous band and sports trips. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Tom and Bruce. He is survived by his wife, of nearly 52 years, Becky, his son, Zebulun, daughter Dee Dee, granddaughters Natasha (Chris) Lambert, Courtney Brown (fiancé Nathan Brown) and Nicole (Jony) Kruglov, two wonderful great-grandchildren, Mia and Oliver Lambert, [former] daughter-in-law Karrie Benefield, siblings Al (Berry) Brown, Sue Wiley, Beti (Dave) Becker and Jim (Connie) Brown. Mike will also be missed by numerous nieces and nephews and their children.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be held Aug. 22 at the Hayden Lake Eagles, 1520 W. Wyoming Ave., starting at 2 p.m. Please come and celebrate the wonderful man Mike was, share in our memories, tell fond stories and enjoy the company of his endless friends and family.  www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.