Surnames: Schmidt, Brown, Baldukas, Jolivette, Rautio, Butterfield, Koester, Bivens

----Source: La Crosse Tribune (La Crosse, La Crosse County, Wis.) Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008

Brown, John W. (20 Sept. 1925 - 3 Nov. 2008)

John W. Brown, 83, of La Crosse passed away Monday, Nov. 3, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

He was born in Abbotsford, Wis., on Sept 20, 1925, to Edgar and Bertha (Schmidt) Brown. John attended schools in Colby, Wis. On April 11, 1945, John married Geraldine Jolivette in Abbotsford, Wis. John worked for Gross Common Carrier as a truck mechanic, retiring in 1968.

John was an active member of Olivet Lutheran Church, which he served on the church counsel. He was active in the Masonic Fraternity as a member of LaCrosse Masonic Lodge 190. He was also a member of Ruth chapter 23 OES, LaCrosse York Right Bodies, Scottish Right Bodies and Zor Shrine.

John was an avid sportsman, belonging to muzzel-loader and trap-shooting clubs. He loved to travel, taking scenic bus trips out west with his wife, Geraldine.

He is survived by his loving wife, Geraldine; five daughters, Donna Rautio of Milwaukee, April Butterfield of La Crosse, Susan (Cecil) Koester of Franklin, Wis., Carol Brown of Columbis, South America, and Sandra (James) Bivens of Holmen; several granchildren and great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, three sister-in-laws; and many neices, nephews, special friends and great neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Sharon Marie; a son, John Paul; a granddaughter; and two brothers.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at Olivet Lutheran Church, 2100 Bainbridge St., La Crosse. The Rev. David Baldukas will officiate, and burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse. Family and friends may call at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 809 Gillette St., LaCrosse, on Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., with a Masonic service being held at 6 p.m. A visitation also will be held an hour prior to services Friday at the church.