Scott MacDonald Brown

Scott Mac Donald Brown, aged 67, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at his home after a long journey with ITP, and COPD, and a short journey with small cell lung cancer. He was under the care of his wife and Essentia Health Hospice.

Scott was born on July 16, 1958, to Bill and Florence (MacDonald) Brown in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. Shortly after, his family moved to Duluth, Minnesota, where he was raised. Scott grew up an avid Boy Scout, and he was a musician with the rest of his family. He attended East High School, and Duluth Cathedral (now Marshall School), graduating in 1976.

After several odd jobs and being a volunteer firefighter, Scott moved to Louisiana where he worked on offshore oil platforms and became a senior equipment operator. He then moved back to Duluth to live with his father after his mother died. While there, he went to school for auto and diesel mechanics and worked in those industries.

Scott married Bonnie Zeise in November 1987 in Deer Creek, Minnesota, and together they had a son, Chris, and a daughter, Gwen. He was Mr. Mom before Mr. Mom was a thing. He took care of the kids at home, while Bonnie pursued her career. During this time the family moved to Cloquet; he added a 2nd story to their small home; and he continued his education. Scott loved hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors, so he went to school for Forest Harvesting Technology, and Natural Resources Technology. Later, he got involved with OSHA, where he was highly certified in Construction and Industry and was an OSHA Safety Consultant and trainer through his own business, Absolute Safety, LLC for pipelines in the USA.

Scott was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Florney, and stepmother, Janice Pesola Brown; his in-laws, Gwen and Gordon Zeise; his brothers-in-law Paul Zeise and Ron Johnson; several cousins; and several stepbrothers.

Scott will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife of 39 years, Bonnie; his children, who were his pride and joy: Chris Brown, and Gwen (Marty) Paulsen; his grandson, Trip; his sister Heather (David) Larson; his brother William "Boomer" (Nancy) Brown; his many nieces and nephews; his beloved cousins; and his dear friends.

Following Scott's wishes, there will be no funeral or services, outside of his cousins getting together at the family camp in the UP of Michigan to celebrate his life.