"I just now saw Evert has passed. Ellen, Paul and Mark I knew your dad as long as each of you and always knew him to be an Honorable man. Some of my greatest memories of living on the farm down the road from yours was visiting now and then. Dad and I milked your dad's cows in that round barn a few times when you all went on vacations. I will always remember him and your mom and hope they are square dancing in Heaven together again."
In loving memory of
Evert H. Broesder
September 11, 1934 - December 12, 2018
Evert Harry Broesder was born on September 11, 1934, in Algona, the only child of George and Edith Bates Broesder. He graduated in 1951 from Algona High School at the age of 16. Shortly after graduation he joined the Army National Guard and continued to serve in the National Guard of Iowa Reserves for a total of 23 years.
On March 2, 1958 he was united in marriage to Donna Marie Wood at the Trinity Lutheran Church, in Algona, where they remained lifelong members. Evert met Donna at a Whittemore High School girls basketball game. They went to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon, and visited Evert's favorite uncle in Albany, NY along the way.
The Broesder family farm, named Point Comfort, is located northeast of Algona. Evert was actively involved in managing it until 1999. He was very proud of the round barn built in 1911 by his grandfather, Harry Bates. The barn was designed for dairy cattle and Evert, with the help of his family, milked cows for many years. The farm received the Century and Heritage Farms Award in 2000 from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. In 2009 the round barn was featured in the Iowa Barn Foundation's Northwest Tour. Well over 100 people turned out to visit and admire the unique structure.
In retirement, Evert enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He made several trips to the west coast and Pacific Northwest to visit his daughter and granddaughter. He was an avid reader and his interests included genealogy, geography, antique farm equipment, land conservation and meteorology. Every spring Evert planted the 'free trees' (more like twigs) he received for donating to the Arbor Day Foundation. He volunteered and was trained to be a storm spotter with the National Weather Service in Des Moines. Evert served as a Plum Creek Township Trustee for more than 40 years and never missed a meeting or an election. He and Donna enjoyed their membership in the Izaak Walton League, and he encouraged his grandsons to participate in the trap shoots, pancake breakfasts and game feeds regularly held there.
Evert died on Wednesday, December 12, 2018, at the Britt Hospital surrounded by family. He was 84.
He is survived by his children, Ellen (Bruce) Fraser of Incline Village, NV and their son, David Fraser of Sacramento, CA; Paul Broesder of Burt and his children, Tanya (Pete) Broesder-Di Santis of Spokane, WA, and their children Alisa and Sophia, Josh (Andrea) Broesder of Algona and their children Carson and Dillon, Amber Broesder of Spokane, WA, and Beth (Wesley) Lyons of Bismarck, ND; Mark Broesder of Lakota and his children, Bailey (Andrew Hecker) Kraayenhof of Lindstrom, MN, and their daughter, Emma, Preston Broesder of Burt, Wyatt Broesder of Offutt Air Force Base near Bellevue, NE, Noah Broesder of Burt and Gracie Broesder of Burt; He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Erma Ohnemus of Livermore, Kathryn Ernst of Thor, Janice Bruhn of Fenton, Velma Wood of Humboldt; brother-in-law Warren (Ann) Wood of Livermore; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Preceding him in death are his wife, Donna; parents; and granddaughter, Madisyn.
Tributes
"Ellen, My sincere sympathy to you and your family. Haven't heard from you in ages. Call or write. Darlene Farrell"
"We extend our sincere condolences to Evert?s entire family. In this difficult moment may God be your refuge and strength, a help that is readily found in times of distress. - Psalms 46:1"
"Ellen, Paul, Mark and families. sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. He and Donna are probably square dancing . Remember all the fun times we had being neighbors , getting fresh eggs, watching you all milk the cows, and having wonderful snacks and coffee at the kitchen table. May they both R.I.P. Jim & Janice Schumacher"
"All of you are in our thoughts for the losses you have had to endure this year. -Death leaves a heartache no one can heal - Love leaves a memory no one can steal. Prayers to you for god's strength to carry you through this difficult time. Brenda & Darren Hannover"
"Paul, Ellen, Mark and your families, There are no words to say to ease your loss. You are all in my thoughts & prayers for strength, peace and understanding. Your dad & mom, grandpa & grandma are together again dancing the time away. Paul & Marcia Kenne"
"So sorry for your loss ! Thoughts and prayers to the family !"