Arnold (Arne) M. Brown passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Dec. 27, 2024, at the age of 93.
Funeral services will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. with Pastor Susan Nachtigal officiating. Burial will be at First Lutheran Cemetery after the service. Lunch will be served at Ascension Lutheran. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family arrangements.
Arne was born on March 5, 1931, to John and Carrie (Berdahl) Brown in Sherman, S.D. He was the eighth of nine kids. He attended country school until moving to Baltic, SD, where he graduated high school. He was homecoming king, played basketball and was quarterback of the school’s first football team.
He married, Doris Krogstad in 1952. Arne served four years in the US Navy as an electrician aboard the USS Menifee during the Korean War. After the service, he worked as an electrician in Baltic then moved to Sioux Falls where he worked for the City Health Department.
His interest in good health in places where clean water wasn’t available led him to employment as the District Director with the Indian Health Service. He lived in Velva, ND, and Rhinelander, WI, working with many reservations to improve their water facilities.
The family moved to Brookings in 1972. As a 42-year-old father of six children, he became a college student graduating with a master’s degree in Public Health from SDSU in 1982 to advance his career with IHS. Upon retirement from the IHS, he continued his passion of caring for others as the administrator of the United Retirement Center in Brookings.
He served on the board of directors for the Brookings Health System and was instrumental in thoughtful design features of the Brookings Hospital addition and The Neighborhoods at Brookview. Arne believed in service to others, his country and community and began his political career as a Brookings City Commissioner, then served 12 years in the state Legislature; four years in the House of Representatives and eight years in the Senate and was the president pro-tempore of the State Senate 2001-04. He was well-respected and was called upon for guidance from many beginning their political careers.
As a lobbyist for the City of Brookings, he was a strong advocate for local business development and SDSU growth projects. He and Doris were fundraising chairpersons for the United Way campaign. He also served on many church committees at Ascension Lutheran Church where he was a member since 1972. Additionally, they were active in the Brookings Chapter of Sons of Norway.
Arne was known to save everything and could fix or rig anything. He enjoyed fishing, and was proud to be included in the Governor’s Hunt and Buffalo Round Up.
Arne enjoyed and was always proud of his children and grandchildren. He was especially known for his kindheartedness and sense of humor.
He loved music and began harmonizing with his siblings and continued the tradition with his kids during family car trips and caroling at retirement homes.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Carrie; his sisters Syliva, Norma, Charlotte and Hannah; his brothers, Ellsworth, Gerhard and Clifford; and his son, Doug Brown. He is survived by his wife, Doris of 72 years; sister, Helen Rackerby; daughter, Debra Waltner; son, David Brown (Lisa); daughter, Patricia Brown; daughter, Cynthia Juntunen (Jim); daughter, Kari Garbark; 10 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.
