Barbara Ellen Brown, 69, passed away June 27th, 2022, at her home surrounded by her family and her two pugs due to complications from a 15 year fight with breast cancer. Barb was born January 11, 1953, in Milwaukee to her biological mother, Senta Pothke. She was given up for adoption and stayed at the Milwaukee Lutheran Home for 11 months until she was adopted by her parents Bernice (Fischer) and Harold “Bingo” Gauger. She was raised in her family home in Powers Lake, Wisconsin, where she resided for almost all her life. She attended Randall Grade School and was in the first Kindergarten through 8th grade at Randall School. She attended Wilmot Union High School, graduating in 1971.
Barb traveled to Europe after high school and loved travelling all over the country with her family. She worked at Honey Bear Farm, and Sterling Works, and then she met the love of her life, Thomas Brown. Her and Tom were married on Valentine’s Day in 1976. Then came their son Chris, followed by their daughter Dana. She switched to the career that she loved till the end, being a mother and then a grandmother. When the Randall Fire Department started up in their back yard, Tom, and Barb, both jumped on helping their community. Barb helped start the Randall Fire Auxiliary and loved giving back to the community. Unexpectedly, Tom passed away in October 2013 and left a huge hole in her life, that she overcame, but never forgot. With her children and grandchildren, she traveled more, and got to see more NASCAR tracks that she never expected to see. On a dare, she packed up her two pugs and did a solo drive straight through from Wisconsin to Georgia! She also recently connected with her half-sister, Cindy Singleton, and meeting her brought answers to her life and gave her a new companion. She loved her two pugs Squiggles and Rocky and fell into the pug lifestyle.
Barb is survived by her children, Christopher (Caroline) Brown of Slades Corners, Dana (Steven) Lippai of Adairsville, GA, grandchildren, Kimberlee (Camden Redman) Lippai of Marietta, GA, Logan (Lexi Reynard) Lippai of Powers Lake, WI, Keelia Cunningham, Hunter Lippai and Finn Brown. And she has a great granddaughter on the way in October. Also, survived by her sister, Cindy Sue Singleton, niece, Carolyn Brown, nephews Joe Brown and Pete DeRidder, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and family and friends. Barb was proceeded in death by her parents, grandparents, and her husband, Tom.
Visitation will be held on Friday July 1, 2022 from 4:00PM until 8:00PM at the Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home 620 Legion Dr. Twin Lakes, WI. Time of Sharing will be held on Saturday July 2, 2022 at 1:30 at the Haase-Lockwood & Assoc. Funeral Home. Burial to follow in Mound Prairie Cemetery. Following committal service, a luncheon will be held at the American Legion Post #544 in Twin Lakes, WI. Online condolences Haaselockwoodfhs.com.
The family would like to give a huge thank you to Dr. Haider and Katrina for the years of great care given to her. Also, we would like to thank Molly her hospice nurse for great caring in her last couple of months.
Memorials can be made to the Town of Randall Fire Department or the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center.
