MADRID, Iowa—Michael L. Brown, 69, of Madrid and formerly of Burwell, Nebraska, passed away Thursday, January 30, 2025, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, in Des Moines. Following Mike’s wishes, cremation has taken place.
Mike was born October 21, 1955, in Des Moines, the son of Victor and Elizabeth (Birdsall) Brown. He grew up in Polk City and graduated from North Polk High School. Mike attended Grace College of the Bible in Omaha, Nebraska, where he met the love of his life, Carolyn Louise Young. They were united in marriage on July 28, 1978, in Nebraska, and to this union four children were born, Jason, Rachel, Esther and Lydia.
Mike was actively involved with the Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) for 35 years. He was a past State Director of the CEF in Nebraska. When Mike semi-retired he started working at the Burwell Community Memorial Health Center in Burwell, where he helped with activities and driving the van.
In the fall of 2023, Mike officially retired and moved to Madrid, to be closer to his family. He enjoyed gardening, grilling, spending time with family and attending church activities at Berean Baptist Church in Boone.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Elizabeth Brown; son, Jason Lee Brown in 2016; wife, Carolyn Brown in 2019, and daughter-in-law, Sonja Wagner Brown.
Mike is survived by his three daughters, Rachel Brown of Madrid, Esther Brown of Gallup, New Mexico, and Lydia (Jesse) Roll of Boone; grandchildren, Eva Roll and Tyler Wagner; siblings, Roby Brown of Ankeny, Sherilyn (Rod) Harris of Polk City, Rhonda Brown of Ankeny and Diane Brown (fiancée Steve Dyer) of Arnolds Park; and other numerous family and friends.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel, 1006 6th Street, Boone. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at Berean Baptist Church, 720 South Montana Street, Boone, with Pastor Roger Smith officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date at Cottonwood Cemetery, in Burwell, Nebraska.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of Mike to Child Evangelism Fellowship, Inc., P.O. Box 348, Warrenton, MO 63383 or www.cefonline.com
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Online condolences may be left to Mike’s family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com
Mike Brown, 69, Madrid, Iowa
