Michael “Todd” Brown

July 20, 1953 - June 27, 2022

Michael “Todd” Brown, 68, a resident of Cape Coral for the past year, formerly of Denver, NC and Holmen, WI, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep Monday, June 27, 2022 in Cape Coral. He was born July 20, 1953 in Newton, Iowa to Garrett and Yvonne Brown, now deceased.

Todd was of the Lutheran faith and was a member of Holmen Lutheran Church in Holmen, WI. He was Baptized and Confirmed before the Lutheran faith. He spent most of his childhood in Stewartville, MN, graduating from Stewartville High School in 1971.   He attended Hawkeye Tech in Waterloo, IA where he received an Associate of Arts degree in Commercial Photography as well as attended the University of Iowa graduating with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1985.

Todd was united in marriage to Nancy Nielsen on June 27th, 1981 at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, IA.

He was employed with the Trane Company (International Marketing) in La Crosse, WI for over for 17 years serving an assignment in Tokyo, Japan from 1993 to 1995 with his family by his side then returning to La Crosse.  Todd also worked for McQuay and Carrier in Charlotte, NC, over the course of his career before retiring in 2019.

Todd enjoyed being with family and friends.  He was an avid Hawkeye fan and also enjoyed boating, golfing and traveling.

He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Nancy Brown of Cape Coral, FL; children, Andrew “Andy” Brown (Alyson) of Charlotte, NC, and Molly Brown of Cape Coral, FL; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Todd was preceded in death by brother, Gregory Scott Brown.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Wisconsin. Details to be announced via www.MullinsMemorial.com. No formal services will be held in Florida.

Memorial Contributions in memory of Michael Todd Brown are suggested to Gundersen Medical Foundation – Gundersen Health System

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. Mary Drugan Jul 5, 2022 at 6:23 pm

    We will always remember Todd’s happy demeanor. He came to Drugan’s often, filled with happiness and good cheer. He was a proud husband and father. He lit the room up and made time for any and everyone. We will miss him.

  2. Bill Plantan Jul 5, 2022 at 7:09 pm

    While we have lost a wonderful loving husband, father, friend and brother….Heaven has gained once again a new
    stellar member of it’s eternal force for good ….I mean GOD !
    Words are not found in times like these. Only love…prayers…hope for the future and grace and
    mercy for Nancy, Andy and Molly. My arms are wrapping around you and my heart is heavy
    but strengthened by the hope I know you share as Jesus takes the wheel…..
    All my love,
    Bill

  3. Alice and Jim Miller Jul 5, 2022 at 8:22 pm

    So sorry. Jim and I were looking forward to spending more time with you
    RIP
    Love
    Alice and Jim Miller

  4. Jon W Feist Jul 5, 2022 at 9:12 pm

    ” I’ll tell you what…” we’ll miss him.

  5. Scott Hall Jul 5, 2022 at 10:13 pm

    Absolutely one of the nicest guys you’d every like to know. RIP my friend!

  6. Brian Bogdan Jul 6, 2022 at 12:26 am

    Todd was a great friend. He always treated me like his own family. He overlooked my flaws and only saw the good in me. I feel lucky to have known him. He will be missed. I remember him frequently looking at his grandfather’s fly reel. So many great memories. This photo was the last time I saw him in person when AHR expo was last in Atlanta.

  7. Paula Osweiler Baus Jul 6, 2022 at 12:45 am

    I was devastated to hear about Todd passing. My heart aches for you Nancy and Andy and Molly. I worked with Todd at Trane. He was one of the nicest guys I ever knew. When I think of Todd I think about his smile. It seems he was always smiling. Now he will be smiling down on his loved ones. God bless his soul and his loved ones.

  8. Jim and Claudia Melby Jul 6, 2022 at 10:31 am

    Nancy, we are so sorry for your loss. We are truly saddened and will miss his smiling and happy face! We are glad that we had a chance to visit and share a meal with all of you in Cape Coral before coming back to Wisconsin. It is a tough journey to lose your partner in life but know you are a strong woman who will still find joy around you. Take care and we will stay in touch.

    Love you and take care. Jim and Claudia

  9. Steve Zalewski Jul 7, 2022 at 1:11 pm

    I was blessed to meet Todd on my first trip to Japan, then to work for him a year later in La Crosse and most importantly to count him and Nancy as dear friends. In your loss, Nancy, Molly and Andy, know that a part of him lives within all those whom he touched with his smile, laughter and positivity – all around the world.

    With heartfelt sympathy and many wonderful memories.
    Steve

  10. Deb & Darrell Ackerson Jul 7, 2022 at 1:16 pm

    Dear Nancy and Family,
    So very sorry for your loss. May you be comforted by the memories and the love you have shared with Todd. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Love, Deb & Darrell

  11. Jeanie Born Jul 8, 2022 at 4:42 pm

    I have so many fond memories with Todd. Many during our school days especially at St. JOHN’S Confirmation classes when he and Randy would get me laughing so much Pastor Ristau was not happy with us. My last best memory of Todd was seeing him at our 45th class reunion. We all missed him at our 50th last year. Sending prayers and condolences to his family. Until we meet again Rest in Paradise my friend.

  12. David & Barbara Gingerich Jul 9, 2022 at 1:41 pm

    What fond memories I will always cherish of Todd and the Brown family. Remembering the days back in the late 1970’s, when I first met Todd and Nancy in Cedar Falls. We (Barbara, Nancy & I) canoed down the river in Minnesota, and enjoyed Todd’s brown Jeep. Always enjoyed Happy Hour @ The Downtowner, too. Todd and Nancy moved from married Student Housing in Cedar Falls after he graduated from UNI, and went to Iowa City, where he continued to get his education with a Degree in Mechanical Engineering. We spent many Saturday afternoons watching the Hawkeyes play football.
    Although, the Brown’s moved around from Indiana, Japan and eventually Holman, we always stayed in contact with each other’s families. When I traveled on business to Southwest Wisconsin, I made it a habit to visit them in Holman or LaCross. There was a weekend trip on their houseboat with Molly, Andy, Nancy and playing golf on their backyard course. Todd would annually rent an RV and drive to Iowa City for a fall football game. Good Times Indeed With A Super Great Guy!
    While we grew physically apart with their move to North Carolina and eventually Florida, we never lost touch. I miss not seeing him in the last several years, especially at Andy’s wedding, due to Covid a couple summers years ago.
    God had a plan. I last enjoyed a wonderful conversation with Todd on the Tuesday preceding his passing. It was a great way and time to say goodbye, although way too soon. Cherish each day and take nothing for granted.
    May God Bless Todd, Nancy, family and friends through this difficult time. Until we see you again,
    Rest In Peace my friend.

  13. Mike Creagan Jul 9, 2022 at 11:47 pm

    This man will always be loved and missed by me & family. Todd was literally my best friend all through our lives beginning at birth. Our mothers were pregnant at same time and we were born 5 weeks apart. From adolescent trips to and from Iowa and Minnesota to rooming together in college. The stories we can tell are many. I’ve never had a truer friend and am sorry we didn’t see each other one last time but I’m happy my wife and I spent the weekend with the Browns about 2 yrs ago. To Nancy, Andy, & Molly our heart aches for you and a day won’t go by that I won’t think of him. There is so much more I could say. But I’ll leave it at I love him and will appreciate him always. Rest In Peace my friend.

  14. Gina and Todd Cottrell Jul 11, 2022 at 9:01 am

    So sorry for your loss Nancy. We lost touch once we all left Trane, but the comments are spot on. Todd loved an adventure and was always game to do what was asked of him. Prayers for the family.

  15. Willie Low Jul 15, 2022 at 5:57 am

    Shocked and sad to hear this. Deepest condolences to his family. He will be fondly remembered for his role in serving Trane in the Apac region. Indeed a good man and a friend.

  16. Martin Simanjaya ~ in Jakarta , Indonesia Jul 15, 2022 at 8:23 pm

    I know Todd in 1995, when i worked for Trane Indonesia and he was the overseas marketing in La Crosse, finally met up in person with Him when I attended the garaduate class course in La Crosse from Aug to Dec 1995.

    He was fun and kind, although he might suffered to understand my broken English at the time.

    One memory with Him that stays until today :
    He visited Jakarta around 1997 and I took Him for a wine nite in a Grand Hyatt Jakarta, too much wine we enjoyed and ended up for both of us to explore the huge basement parking lot, searching for my car.

    Goodbye Todd, may God be with you and confort your love ones

  17. Anton Mogilevsky Jul 26, 2022 at 2:24 pm

    I knew Todd through his work as a manager at Trane. He was a very hard worker, extremely customer focused and value-centered. Todd embraced his clients, and went the extra mile to understand and meet their needs. I am confident he approached his friends and family in the same manner, for that was his true nature. He was an empathic, genuine person, unashamed to let you know his authentic self.

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