Wayne J Broeckelman

On Saturday, March 21, 2020, Wayne J. Broeckelman, husband and father, passed away because of advanced cancer at the age of 78 years in Beloit, Kansas. He was born November 23, 1941 in Quinter, Kansas to Herman and Catherine (Bierman) Broeckelman. He moved with his family to Esbon, Kansas as a young boy. He attended school in Esbon, graduating in 1959. In 1962, Wayne married Joan Lamb at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Esbon. They lived briefly in Beloit and in Esbon, before taking residence at their farm west of Esbon in 1970, where he lived to this day.

Along with farming, Wayne had a backhoe service and was a school bus driver for the Esbon and White Rock School districts. He served numerous terms on the Rural Water Board and for many years he provided water maintenance for the city of Esbon. He was a longtime parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish and member of the Knights of Columbus where he held the role of financial secretary for 30+ years. One of his prior pastimes was participating in local tractor pulling contests where he was quite successful. He was a fan of the Kansas University basketball program.

In December 1992, Wayne became disabled with a rare nervous system disorder that limited his physical abilities. Despite this significant impairment and with the gracious help of many neighbors, relatives and friends, he and Joan continued their farming operation until they retired in 2012.

Wayne, by this life, was a wonderful example of perseverance and humility. He led his family with invaluable lessons:
- All people are important regardless of their place in life.
- Never ask or expect others to do what you would not be willing to do yourself.
- Encouraged and supported us to work to our fullest potential.
- One must pay some dues before the rewards of life will come – do not be discouraged!

Preceding him in death were his parents, Catherine and Herman Broeckelman; brother, Don Broeckelman; sister-in-law, Sharon Broeckelman; brother-in-law, Bill Peroutek and nephew, Ronnie Broeckelman.

Wayne will be eternally remembered by his wife, Joan; sons: Mark (Sandra) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Mike (Sharla) of Beloit, Kansas; Monte (Gina) of Harlan, Iowa; daughter, Melinda (Wesley) Williams of Austin, Texas. His grandchildren, Shelby (Justin) Gengler; Corbyn (Travis) Schroeder; Lindy Broeckelman, Kaley Broeckelman, Jimmy Broeckelman, Ryan Broeckelman, Wyatt Broeckelman, Derrick Broeckelman, Tyler Broeckelman, Spencer Barry, Jaci Broeckelman, Abby Broeckelman, and sister, Ida Mae Peroutek of Salina, Kansas. Wayne will also be remembered by 4 great grandchildren, Emma, Newman and Maryn Gengler and Luna Barry; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, 10:00 a.m., July 18, 2020 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Esbon with Rev. Soosimari Rathinam and Rev. Jerome Morgan officiating.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Elizabeth Cemetery or the Esbon Community Center.

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska  68970

Phone 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com

______________________________________

God saw he was getting tired,
And a cure was not to be,
So he put his arms around him,
And whispered "Come with me",
With tearful eyes we watched him suffer,
And saw him fade away,
Although we love him dearly,
We could not make him stay,
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands to rest,
God broke our hearts to prove to us,
He only takes the best

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