Reuben Brown, 79, of Esmond, ND, passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at the St. Aloisius Medical Center in Harvey, ND. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, April 4, 2016 at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Esmond, ND with Fr. Brian Bachmeier celebrating the mass. Visitation will be held Sunday, April 3, 2016 at the St. Boniface Catholic Church from 5:00-7:00 PM with a Rosary starting at 7:00PM and Vigil Service beginning at 7:30PM. Visitation will continue one hour before the service at the church. Burial will take place at the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. Music will be provided by Helen Arnold and Michelle Mennis.

Reuben was born on May 18, 1936 in Esmond, ND to Alfred and Mabel (Mortensen) Brown. He was raised in Esmond, ND where he graduated high school. Reuben enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after graduation where he was stationed in Santa Ana, CA for a short time before being discharged due to medical reasons. He then returned back home where he worked for Lunde Construction and Albrecht Construction doing concrete and masonry work. Reuben married Dorothy Leier on November 12, 1956 at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Esmond, ND.

In 1979, Reuben and Dennis Leier started B&L Construction Company in Esmond, ND. They owned and operated the construction company until Reuben retired in 1998. Reuben accepted a rural mail carriers route for the first two years of his retirement while he continued to work for Dennis for ten more years in the construction business. He also volunteered his time, with his wife Dorothy, driving for Social Services.

Reuben enjoyed gardening, feeding birds and squirrels, playing cards, watching sporting events and camping at Woodland Resort in Devils Lake, ND. He was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church, the Senior Citizens Center in Esmond and the Harvey Eagles Club.

Reuben is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy; children: Jerrilyn (Charles) Coghlan of Valley City, ND, Tamara (Jeff) Flink of Osnabrock, ND, Reuben "Mark"(Kathleen) Brown of Brighton, CO, Kent (Sheila) Brown of New Rockford, ND and Karlene (Lyle) Ellingson of Mooreton, ND; grandchildren: Corey, Ryan (Marita), Kelly and Jenna Coghlan, Nicole (John) Carlson, Jessica (Cody) Pengilly, Justin (Myca) Flink, Amanda, Matt and Jason Brown, Eli Peters, Hallie Brown, Michelle, Aaron and Paige Mennis; great grandchildren: Chase, Carter and Charlee Coghlan, Tessa and Daxton Carlson, Kynlee and Jase Pengilly, Lauren Flink and Lilly Peters; siblings: Raymond Brown, Arlene (Leo) Hoffner and Donna Jean (Ben) Tomjack.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Clausie, Harry, Dale, Gerald, Otto, Helen, Lilace, Vivian and Leona.