Oral Ralph Broeker

Aug. 28, 1921 - April 25, 2008

OXFORD --Oral Ralph Broeker Sr., 86, formerly of Edison, died Friday (April 25, 2008) at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

He was born Aug. 28, 1921, on the family farm northwest of Orleans in Harlan County to Carl Otto and Clara Louise (Hoppe) Broeker. He received his primary education from the Carter School in Harlan County and graduated from Orleans High School with the class of 1939.

Following his education, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served his country in the 10th Mountain Division as a Staff Sergeant during World War II from 1942 until his honorable discharge in 1946.

He was engaged in farming and ran a dairy operation his entire career in the Oxford and Edison area. He also drove truck for Oxford Cheese for 14 years.

He married Pearl Marie Caywood on Dec. 13, 1943. Pearl died on April 3, 2001. In the fall of 2002, he made his home in Beaver City, where he continued to reside at the time of his passing.

He was a member of the Edison Christian Church, was a 4-H Leader for more than 20 years and was a longtime member of the V.F.W. Post No. 8146 and American Legion Post No. 343 in Edison.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Pearl; two brothers, Kenneth "Bud" Broeker and Robert Broeker; one sister, Louise Broeker in infancy; five brothers-in-law: Stanley Langenberg, Harold Brown Jr., Milton Thulin, Doug York and Rolland McQuiston.

Survivors include his children, Roger Broeker and wife, Elizabeth of Maywood, Marlys Baxter and husband, Warren of Orleans, Tracy Broeker and wife, Susan of Beaver City, Oral "Ralph" Broeker Jr. and wife, Gloria of Holdrege, Alan Broeker and wife, Valerie of Milford and Bryan Broeker and wife, Lisa of Victor, N.Y.; one brother, Wallace Broeker and wife, Ortha of Orleans; six sisters, Marjorie Dyas and her husband, Dick of Oxford, Berniece McQuiston of Oxford, Phyllis Thulin of Oxford, Ardis Proctor and husband, Carl of Oxford, Carla Freeburg and husband, Laval of Holdrege and Janice Maaske and husband, Darrel of Loomis; two sisters-in-law: LoRee Broeker of Oxford and Donna Dallman and husband, Myron of Macon; 16 grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; special friend, Evelyn Keezer of Beaver City; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, 2 p.m., at United Methodist Church in Oxford, with the Rev. Kirk Einspahr officiating. Interment will be in the Carter Cemetery in Harlan County.

Visitation is today until 8 p.m., at Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford with the family greeting friends from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

A memorial has been established in his memory.

The Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.