11/07/2019 - Franz Karl Brown

A memorial service for Franz Karl Brown of Hot Springs, formerly of Whitney, will be held Thursday, November 7 at 2 PM.at the Cascade Road Baptist Church, 27526 Cascade Road, Hot Springs, South Dakota

Franz Karl Brown passed away in Sioux Falls, SD, on October 25, 2019. With his luxuriant white beard and hair, a twinkle in his eye, and a nod of his head, Franz charmed all, acknowledging both friends and strangers alike.

He was known throughout the region for his contagious sense of humor, wit and wonderment, and nationally recognized as Santa Claus in the art of Tom Browning for over 30 years.

Franz, aka Uncle Santa to his family, was born in New York City and raised in Southern California. After graduating from University of Washington, he served in the Marines for 7 years (Captain).

He lived in Whitney, NE, 15 years writing magazine articles and curating the art of his parents Reynold Brown and Mary Louise Tejeda. He finally settled in Hot Springs, SD, to pursue his own painting and photography of the Black Hills and its residents. He especially loved studying the tribal arts of the Lakota and Mandan.

He is survived by his 7 siblings, Marie Reynolds, Reynold Brown, Elisa Cipriano, Cristina Tejeda, Regina Ochoa, Marta Norman, Mariane Sasak, as well as many nieces, nephews, and loyal friends from all walks of life in Hot Springs, Chadron and beyond.