Samuel Leamon Browman

Samuel L. Browman was born October 7, 1936 to Ella Mae (Duryee) and Rudolph Browman. He graduated from Albert Lea High School and began working for the Rock Island Railroad. On September 20, 1958 Sam married Patricia Keane of Owatonna, MN, his wife of 60 years.

Sam was a traveling man and found satisfaction in his work in the transportation industry. During his early years as a salesman for the Rock Island Railroad, he did a lot of driving. At times it seemed like he had a map in his head, remembering roads, gas stations, parks, and other landmarks well into his 80’s. He would often ask us what route we took when we came to visit him. Travel by car turned to travel by plane. While working as Marketing Director for the Port Authority of Duluth he made calls to clients on five continents.

Over the years Sam and Pat enjoyed bowling, gathering with neighbors, friends, and family, cabin life, sailing on Lake Superior, and recreational traveling. A couple of memorable trips for Sam and Pat were sailing from Duluth through the St Lawrence seaway and across the Atlantic Ocean to Naples, Italy and a train trip from Minneapolis to Seattle. During their retirement years they drove south to enjoy some warm weather during the winter months and enjoyed a Caribbean cruise with the family.

Sam had a wide variety of interests. He was an avid marksman in long distance target shooting. While Pat enjoyed the chaos of family gatherings Sam preferred, smaller groups. His grandchildren when asked, “what kind of children does grandpa like?” responded, “quiet ones”.

Samuel L. Browman, age 86, passed away on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 after battling pancreatic cancer for over three years.

He is survived by his brother John (Lorraine) Browman, his three children, Jean (Joe) Schmitz of Sauk Rapids, Sarah (John) Burrows of Stone Lake, WI, Dave (Kim) Browman of Prior Lake, MN, 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren: Fr. Matthew Schmitz of Cupertino, CA, Laura Schmitz of Mpls, Kyle (Kathleen) Sam, May, Anna O’Donnell Burrows of Mpls, Joshua (Marita) Micha, Lucia, Rosalie, Nico Schmitz of Sauk Rapids, Brittany (Christian) Violet Bradley of Mpls, Jen (Whelan) Keenan of Richfield, Christopher (Casey) Zoi, Stella Schmitz of Sauk Rapids, Kristy Browman of Eden Prairie, Anna Schmitz of Mpls, Jules Schmitz of Mpls.

Memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday April 14, 2023 at Northview North Mankato Mortuary. Visitation one hour before the services on Friday. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be directed to MCHS Hospice, 1025 Marsh Street, Mankato, MN 56001.

The family would like to thank the staff at Oak Terrace Senior Living and Hospice West for their excellent care.