Franklin Delano Brown was born on April 10, 1933 in Fontanelle, Iowa to Nelson and Halsey (Speed) Brown. He grew up on a farm in Southwest Iowa where he attended country school and graduated from Greenfield High School in 1951. Frank went on to attend the University of Iowa, where he met Bonnie. As a young boy, Frank loved music, playing the trumpet and ukulele, singing in the choir and other musical performances. Frank married Bonnie Mosness on November 20, 1955 at the First Congregational Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and they were blessed with three children: Dianna, Kevin and Franklin Keith. Frank and Bonnie raised their family in many places around Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska.
Frank worked in sales his entire life, mostly in the seed corn industry including owning their own company, a seed and popcorn processing plant. In recent years, he worked with his daughter Dianna at the Sylvan Learning Center in Omaha. Frank continued with his love of music as a member of a Barbershop Quartet. He enjoyed golf, gardening, playing cards and dancing. Frank was a good listener who could see the good in everything and did not judge others. He was a kind, loving man with a good sense of humor and a passionate love of his family. Frank enjoyed dinner at Jericho's and a good glass of wine. Frank passed away on Friday, January 24, 2014 at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha at the age of 80 years, 8 months and 14 days. He was preceded in death by his parents Nelson and Halsey, son Keith, sisters Thelma and Betty Jo and brother Nelson Marion. Frank is survived by son Kevin of Blair; daughter and son-in-law Dianna and Jeff Johnson of Omaha; life-long love Bonnie; grandson Dustan and Rachel Rich and granddaughter Dana and Ward Behlen; five great grandchildren - Eva, Olivia, Georgia, Warrick and Lilliana; nieces and nephews.