Brown, Benjamin Norcross 1911-2003

BROWN, NORCROSS, VANDESTOWE

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 11/14/2010 at 08:27:03

Benjamin Norcross Brown
Benjamin Norcross "Norc" Brown, 91 of Hawarden died Saturday, Aug. 30, 2003 at the Morningside Manor in Alcester. Funeral service was Sept. 3 at the United Methodist Church in Hawarden with the Rev. Tim Walker officiating. Burial was in the Grace Hill Cemetery at Hawarden. Military Service was presented by the Hawarden American Legion and VFW. Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden was in charge of arrangements. Benjamin Norcross "Norc" Brown was born Oct. 14, 1911 in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Frank and Olla Besson (Norcross) Brown. He graduated from High School in Neosho, Mo., and from the College of Fine Arts, Syracuse University. He did graduate work at the University of Alabama and the University of Minnesota. He obtained his Masters Degree from the University of South Dakota. Norcross married Betty Vande Stowe on May 7, 1938 in Canton. Prior to coming to Hawarden in 1946, Norcross taught vocal music at Phillips High School in Birmingham, Ala. and worked for Civil Aeronautics as an Air Traffic Controller. During WWII he was in the Marine Corps Aviation in the South Pacific.Norcross was owner and operator of many different businesses in Hawarden. These include the Hawarden Cleaners, Wigwam Drive In Theater, Sioux Theater, Browns Chevrolet and he also was an insurance agent. He was active in many civic affairs such as the March of Dimes, Republican Party, the Rotary Club where he was a past District Governor and a Paul Harris Fellow and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was instrumental in starting the Calf Days Celebration, which today is Big Sioux River Days. Norcross taught and served as a trustee for Sioux Empire College and was elected President of the College in the summer of 1983. He was the Citizen of the Year in 1968 and was the director of the Methodist Church Choir for over 25 years. Survivors include his wife, Betty; a son, Benjamin Norcross, Jr."Bud" Brown of Sioux Falls; a daughter, Rebecca Jane "Becky" Treiber of Alcester; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a half brother, Farr Brown and a half sister, Margaret Claussen. Benjamin Brown
Source: Hawarden Independent after Aug 30, 2003