Michael “Mickey” Brown died unexpectedly from a cardiac event on March 30, 2026, doing what he loved-being on the baseball field, coaching his son’s team.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (517 SW Des Moines St., Ankeny). A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, also at the church. The service will be livestreamed at https://bit.ly/htlc-funeral.

Mickey was born April 26, 1971, to Jere Brown and Sue Speelman in Dayton, Ohio, joining his big sister, Elizabeth. The family later moved to the Midwest, eventually settling in Altoona, Iowa, where Mickey formed lifelong friendships and made the Des Moines metro his home.

He was a talented musician who loved playing the saxophone. During high school, he performed at Adventureland in the summers and continued playing throughout his life. His family often heard him in the basement, playing his favorite songs along with a few new ones in the mix.

After high school, Mickey attended Drake University, where he played football and pursued his passion for music. He later transferred to the University of Northern Iowa to continue his education and further nurture his musical talents. He was incredibly gifted.

Mickey was an avid sports fan and a lifelong supporter of the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, and The Ohio State University. He especially loved baseball and football, and his knowledge seemed endless. If you wanted to know a first draft pick or who won a Super Bowl or World Series in any given year, he knew it instantly.

Mickey built a career at Ruan Transportation, where he was known for his strong work ethic and relationships he built along the way. He genuinely enjoyed working with his teammates and had a natural curiosity for figuring things out, always looking for better, smarter ways to do things through new technology or improved processes. He took pride in his work and in being part of a team, and he truly enjoyed what he did.

Mickey met his wife, Gina, on March 25, 2010, during the March Madness tournament. In 2011, he raised the stakes by creating Marion’s Cup, a trophy he named after his Grandma Marion, for the winner of the Brown Family Brackets. This became a cherished family tradition. Gina won the first Marion’s Cup, much to Mickey’s dismay, and she delighted in reminding him every March. This year, Mickey was excited to introduce a new tradition: a formal family dinner and awards ceremony to honor the bracket winner- something his family will carry forward in his honor.

Mickey and Gina were married on April 20, 2013. He loved his wife deeply, but what he cherished most was being a dad to Lane, Paxton, and Carter. Being their dad was his greatest joy and his proudest role. He loved them beyond measure and was endlessly proud of the young men they were becoming. Whether in the driveway, the backyard, or on the field, he was always there coaching, encouraging, and celebrating them. His voice, his belief in them, and his love will stay with them forever.

When his children were asked what they wanted people to know about their dad, they said: “He was a great man.” “He loved coaching his kids.” “His family is top-notch!” And “He loves his kids.” They also want people to know he had the worst and funniest Boston accent, and that his Jeff Goldblum impersonation was awful.

Mickey is survived by his wife, Gina; his three sons, Lane (12), Paxton (9), and Carter (6); father, Jere (Katie) Brown; mother, Suzi Speelman; sister, Elizabeth (Billy) Ezell; mother-in-law, Margery Hibbard; sisters-in-law, Mindy (Todd) Westendorf and Angie Hibbard Buffington; brother-in-law, Matt Hibbard; and his nieces and nephews, Chloe, Sam, Evan, Cole, Jenna, Michael, Taylor, Clara, and Emmalyn.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Norma and George Speelman and John and Marion Brown; his father-in-law, Philip Hibbard; his sister-in-law, Laurel Hibbard; and his beloved Basset Hounds, 99 and Venus.

The family wishes to thank the first responders, bystanders, and coaches who came to his aid at the field, as well as the medical team at Methodist Medical Center for their care. They are deeply grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and generosity from their community and beyond, and for the many thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Visitation

Apr

7

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

517 SW Des Moines St.
Ankeny, IA 50023

4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Memorial Service

Apr

8

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

517 SW Des Moines St.
Ankeny, IA 50023

10:30 AM