Edward James Brown, age 91, has passed on to a life eternal on Thursday, October 31, 2024, to be with his Lord. Ed was born on October 21, 1933, to Edward and Eva Brown in Richland County, Wisconsin. Ed served in the U.S. Army from 1954 thru 1956 spending his service time in Korea. After he returned home, he worked for Bid Tillman in Wilton. He met the love of his life in the summer of 1956 while she was babysitting for his very good friend, Spencer Downing, and his wife. He then started work in March of 1957 at the Veterans Hospital in Tomah, working for 34 years, and retiring in December 1988. Ed and Liz were married on September 14, 1957. They had a very special love, she had the job of putting up with him, not too much of a job, low pay. Ed worked as a custodian for the First United Methodist Church since December 1986. He served four pastors, Rev. Wes Schirmer, Rev. Bill Jannische, Rev. Bill Swan and Rev. Bill McBride. He retired from the church when he was 80 years old.
Ed was a longtime and very faithful member of the Tomah Lions Club for over 25 years. He and Liz co-chaired the Lions eye transport project for several years. Ed enjoyed his time working on many of the clubs’ projects and fundraisers, working many hours during the tractor pull and fair.
Ed is survived by his wife, Elizabeth of 67 years; his son, Duane (Candace) of rural Wisconsin; his daughter, Denise Baumgarten of Adams; granddaughters, Alicia (Josh) MacGraw of Tomah, Jessi (Tim) Hovey of Cresco, Iowa, Ashley Clemmons of Crawfordville, FL; grandson, Carson Brown of Crawfordville, FL; great granddaughter, Maddy Clemmons of Crawfordville, FL; great grandson, Steven Borchers of Tomah; great granddaughter, Jasmine Borchers, of Tomah. He is further survived by his two brothers, Eldon (Kathryn) of Tomah and Bob (Karen) of Black River Falls; and a sister, Geneva Switz of Waukesha, Wisconsin. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and long-lost cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Michael Brown; older brother, Frank; his sister-in-law, Darlene and his brother-in-law, Dean Switz.
Memorial Services with full military honors will be held on Monday, November 11, 2024, 12:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist in Tomah. Pastor Claudia Deede and Pastor Fran Hewuse will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am. until the time of service at the church on Monday. Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church Memorial Committee for scholarships or to the Noah’s Ark Christian Learning Center for scholarships. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com
Torkelson Funeral Home
