Memorial

Fred Brown, 83, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, September 28, 2025.

Born on February 11, 1942, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Gilbert and Louise (Priest) Brown, Fred was the third of five children.

Fred met the love of his life, Joanne Happ, shortly after graduating from Amana High School—in fact, their story began with a fender-bender while Fred was working at Firestone in downtown Cedar Rapids. They were married on February 3, 1962, and shared 60 wonderful years together raising their five sons: Richard, Joseph, Michael, Timothy, and Raymond.

Family was always Fred’s greatest passion. He rarely missed a wrestling match, baseball game, or football game for his boys, and that love carried into retirement as he drove countless Linn-Mar buses for sports and activity teams. An avid sports fan, Fred also enjoyed simple pleasures like playing cards, where he was quick to make friends, especially at Boyson Heights Retirement Community.

Fred had a special talent for baking—a gift from his mother, Louise—and was known for his famous Chex mix, Christmas cut outs, and oatmeal cookies. He worked for Wilson Foods for 25 years supervising shipping and receiving, then with Linn County Maintenance for 20 years. In retirement, enjoyed many years driving a school bus for Linn-Mar.

Fred was a quiet man, but his actions spoke volumes. He lived as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend—touching countless lives through his kindness and quiet strength.

Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joanne (Happ) Brown; his parents; his sister Pat Johnson; and his brothers Bob Brown and Larry Brown.

Fred is survived by his five sons: Richard (Jillian) of Las Vegas, NV; Joseph (Deborah) of Winter Garden, FL; Michael (Gina) of Robins, IA; Timothy (Kristen) of Wichita, KS; and Raymond (Lori) of Ely, IA. He will be deeply missed by his grandchildren—Stephanie, Lauren, Brandon, Charlene, Darleese, Jaime, Jodi, Janele, Sarah, Zachary, Benjamin, Beverly, Kayla, Mathews, Alexander, Olivia, Ethan, Natalie, nineteen great-grandchildren, and his brother Tom (Phyllis) Brown.

We were richly blessed to have Fred with us on this earth for 83 years. A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 9th, from 5 -7pm at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel Stateroom, with scripture service at 6:45pm.

Funeral Mass service will be held on Friday October 10th, at 10:00am at All Saints Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, with visitation one hour prior. Private inurnment will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum.

The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to the caring staff of St. Luke’s Hospital and the many dear friends at Boyson Heights Retirement Community.