Carole A. Brown

Rochester has lost a gem. Carole Brown died unexpectedly on Aug. 27, 2025, when infection started in her leg and spread to her entire body. She was 81. Tributes are pouring in from Rochester and the rest of the world. Carole was active in the Rochester community. In the beginning she ran her own sewing business, then took a job helping organize the 1990 Star of the North Games which were held in Rochester and then went on to become Rochester Fest's Executive Director, a position she held for 23 years. One of her major accomplishments was starting Rochester's Midwestern Lumberjack Championships, which brought the world's best lumberjacks to compete in the city. Beyond that, if any organization needed a volunteer, Carole was there to help. Her friends are mourning her passing among them are Lin Gentling saying: She touched so many lives and made a difference in all those who met and knew her. Nancy Hockert said: God took a wonderful woman home today. Mary Kuehn said: "Carole was one of a kind. Such a big heart." John Hughes said: "There will never be another like Carole!" Pat Ruff said: "She was a beautiful and devoted soul." Her cousin Roberta Metzler said: "We all love Carole, one of the sweetest positive people we know." The tributes for Carole on Facebook have numbered in excess of 100, some from as far away as Australia and New Zealand. Carole grew up in Oconto WI, just a Brett Favre pass away from Green Bay. She was a Packer fan all her life, even though her sportswriter husband Bob covered the Minnesota Vikings for over 30 years. Carole graduated from Oconto High School and spent a year at Wisconsin-Stevens Point before going out on her own. She and Bob, who also grew up in Oconto, were married on Sept 5, 1964, and would've celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary this Friday. Carole and Bob spent the first three years of their marriage in Butte MT before moving to Rochester in 1967. Carole accompanied Bob on many of his trips writing about sports. She attended Super Bowls, World Series, NCAA basketball tournaments and some 300 Viking games, even though she was a Packer fan. One of her favorite things to do was to turn on the TV on a Sunday and watch 10 hours of NFL games. Carole was a devoted wife and a friend to all. Another of Carole's interests was animals. She had cats for 60 years of her married life. The last one was Axle, who draped over her every day. With Carole gone, the little guy continues to look for her. Carole was a big supporter of Paws and Claws. Carole is survived by husband Bob, sister Babette, nephews Brandon and Jordan, niece Karrie and numerous cousins. Also among her survivors is her uncle Bob, who just turned 101. She is preceded in death by mother Betty, father Lyle, and brother Lyle. Services for Carole will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, 1119 11 ½ St SE in Rochester. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service followed by a luncheon. Burial will follow at Rochester's Calvary Cemetery. Donations may be made to Rochester's Paws and Claws or a charity of your choice. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com