Donald J. Brown

Gratiot, Wisconsin "Don't cry anyone. I'm with Dad now. All the pain is finally gone and our Harley's are waiting." Donald J. "Donnie" Brown, of Gratiot, Wisconsin, formerly of Cuba City, Wisconsin, passed at Monroe Clinic Hospice Home in Monroe on September 26, 2018, following all the complications of battling three heart breaking diseases; drug and alcohol abuse for many years along with cancer the past two years. He definitely put up a long painful fight, but ultimately lost the battle. Services will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday, September 29, 2018, at Casey Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Cuba City with Rev. David Flanagan officiating. Burial will be in St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Cuba City. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Friends may also call from 10-11:15 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home before the service. Donnie was born on January 12, 1974, in Cuba City, Wisconsin, the son of Donnie and Joan (Udelhofen) Brown. He graduated from Cuba City High School in 1992. On December 22, 2007, he married Kristina "Tina" Collins, of Gratiot, and together they had one daughter, Sadie. "I'll love you forever Daddy." Donnie, like his dad, was a man of few words. He taught himself many trades and worked various jobs in welding, construction and as a mechanic. He could fix, or at least attempt to fix, most anything. He never said, "I can't do that." He was willing to help anyone who asked or needed his help. Donnie enjoyed being outdoors doing yard chores and hunting morels, but especially riding his big, beautiful red Harley--that he talked Tina into getting--as long as he was able. He liked playing Euchre, and winning, with Tina, his sisters Laurie and Linda, and friend Joe. He will be loved and missed forever. It's been a long, difficult journey for Donnie as well as his family and friends. He deserves to be at peace at last. Donnie is survived by his wife, Tina, and their daughter, Sadie, at home; his daughters, Samantha Brown, of Blue River, WI, and Trinity Brown, of Holy Cross, IA; his stepchildren, Payton and Brittany Collins, and grandson, Otto, of Gratiot; his mother, Joan Brown, of Cuba City; his mother-in-law, Barbara Ann Steele, of Gratiot; big brother, Jim Brown, of Cuba City, who has now lost his hero as Jim always believed Donnie could do anything--except quit that which finally took his life; his sisters, Laurie Brown and Linda Brown, of Cuba City, who both spoiled their baby brother from the day he was born; nieces Jamie Hickey and Audrey Stocks; nephew, Chris McCabe; and also aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Donnie Brown, on March 17, 2001; his father-in-law, Jerry Steele; his grandparents, "Sank" and Jean Udelhofen and "Buster" and Thelma Brown; and aunts, uncles and cousins. A Donald J. "Donnie" Brown Memorial Fund has been established. Thanks to Dr. Matt Solverson of the Darlington Clinic, the doctors and staff at the Monroe Clinic and Hospital, UW-Hospitals & Clinic, and to everyone at the Monroe Hospice for his end of life care. Thanks also to all of his friends and cousins who visited him so often, and classmate, Emily, for the relaxing massages and music that Donnie liked.