Wayne Frank Brown

Wayne Frank Brown, 87, passed away peacefully in his home in Evanston, Wyoming on April 10, 2026 due to complications from several health challenges. Wayne was born on Sept. 25, 1938, in Deaver, Wyoming to John Frank Brown and Margaret Adolf Brown. The oldest of four boys, family became a top priority early in his life. He and his brothers, all best friends, spent a great deal of their childhood outdoors engaged in farm chores and recreation such as hunting, fishing, and baseball. His favorite place was Devil’s Canyon in the Bighorn Mountains of northern Wyoming, where he would go fishing as often as he was able. The four brothers have remained close throughout their lives, and for many years they and their children gathered annually for highly anticipated and beloved family reunions.

Wayne was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a 2 ½ year mission in Germany, where he mastered the German language and developed a great love for the German people and culture. His stubbornness, perhaps naturally occurring due to his half-German blood, perhaps adopted along with his fully German heart, served him well throughout his life as he refused to ever be overcome by the hardships he encountered.

Following his mission, he married the beautiful Gisela Ertel, and together they raised eight children. Wayne went on to serve in many church callings, including Stake High Council, the branch presidency in the local jail as well as serving in several bishoprics. Later in life, he and Gisela returned to Germany to serve another full-time mission. All eight of their children are sealed to their spouses in the temple and have followed Wayne’s example of serving in the church.

Wayne’s life was about hard work and family. On top of twice-daily milking of the cow and other farm chores, he took on carpet installation part-time to supplement the needs of his large family. He also spent immeasurable hours under the hoods of cars, pouring concrete for new porches and patios, building bedrooms, and many other projects that showcased his work ethic and varied skills.

With all that, he found time to attend nearly every gymnastics meet, drill team competition, baseball, basketball, volleyball and football game that his kids participated in, as well as coach each of his four sons in baseball and basketball. Of course, he loved taking his family to the mountains to hunt, fish, cut firewood and Christmas trees, or just drive around to enjoy the beauty.

After attending the University of Wyoming and Brigham Young University, he began his career as a banker, bringing his family to rural Neola, Utah for 12 years. He eventually made his way back to his beloved Wyoming and lived the rest of his life in Evanston. He worked for the state of Wyoming before ultimately opening and running a flooring store in Evanston.

He was active in the community, serving many years on the youth athletic board, he became a highly respected citizen, and contributed much to that small town. His final years were difficult, as his health unfairly robbed him of the quality of life that he long enjoyed and deserved. His wife, Gisela, and his children and their families that remained in Evanston, Nicole, Randall, and Cory, served him tirelessly during this time, doing their best to help him enjoy life to the extent that he could. Their efforts have been immense and are profoundly appreciated.

A loving husband, father, brother, and friend, he was a positive influence on all that knew him. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Margaret Brown, and his brother, Gary (Denna) Brown. He is survived by two brothers, Doug (Myrna) and Roger (Sherry—deceased); eight children, Cindy (Shane) Collett, Kerry (Cindy) Brown, Debra (John) Vuyk, Michelle (Sammy) Lee, Ron (Tara) Brown, Nicole (Mike) Sepos, Randall (Emily) Brown, and Cory (Connie) Brown; 33 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren. 

A special thanks to the caregivers from Best Home Health, especially Nick, Nessi and Tanya.