Warren Sorensen "Brownie" Brown

1924 - 2011

Warren Sorensen Brown, known to many as "Brownie," passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 4, 2011 at age 87.
Brownie, a longtime Elko resident, was born on January 21, 1924 in Beaver, Utah. He was raised on his family's farm where he was quickly introduced to the "world of work," a skill he successfully honed to perfection and used throughout his life.
Brownie was a World War II Navy veteran, serving from 1942-1945. At age 18, he left his home in Beaver and enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served on the "Amphibious Personal Attack" ship USS Harris, in the South Pacific Islands, the Aleutian Island landings and later went to the east coast to prepare for the Normandy invasion. He was also assigned to the USS Bingham for the South Pacific invasion of Saipan.
Upon his honorable discharge from the navy in 1945, Brownie returned to Beaver for a short time and in the fall of 1946 traveled to Ogden, Utah where he completed a two-week training program sponsored by the Standard Oil Company. It was here that he met Cal Woodward, who would prove to be a very close and lifelong friend. The two boarded a bus and headed west. They reached Elko, liked the feel of the town with its mountainous surroundings and what the small town had to offer and called Elko "home." Both began working as service station attendants at the Standard Gas Station on the corner of 5th and Idaho Street, which is the current location of Blohm Jewelers.
It was there that Brownie met and married Norma Santochi. They were happily married for 47 years, raising three children. Brownie was an industrious, hard working man and a caring, supportive provider for his family. He loved and lived life and set by example. He is greatly loved and will be missed by all.
Brownie loved sharing time with family and friends and helping people. He had also been known to go on an occasional hunting trip and to "drop a line into the water" from time to time. He coached youth baseball teams, was a volunteer firefighter and in his earlier years worked with his father-in-law, Vic Santochi, on numerous cement projects throughout Elko. Their trademark remains, "no cracks." He loved to work on "projects," and was an avid gardener, always looking forward to the spring and summer when he could cultivate his "rose gardens," which still flourish. He operated a Richfield gas station for a short time, located on the corner of 10th and Idaho Street. Brownie worked for and retired from the Nevada Power Company in 1986 after 37 years of service.
Brownie was preceded in death by his wife Norma. He is survived by his son Mike (Argelia) of Elko and grandchildren Brianna, Kaylan, Sean and Audrey; son Steve (Donna) of Boise, ID; daughter Julie (Roy) of Oakland, CA.; and grandchildren Sophia and Mario; niece Val Dratter of Bowie, MD; nephews Bruce Brown of Beaver, UT; Greg Brown of Coalville, UT; Victor Santochi of Alta Dena, CA; Trevor Santochi of Dana Point CA.; brother-in-law Harold Taylor of Delta, UT. and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 17th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and a rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Burns Funeral home. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 18th at Burns Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to a charity of choice.
Brownie's family extends their sincere gratitude to Dr. David Hogle and his staff, the staff at Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital, Beehive Homes and Highland Manor for their care provided for Brownie.