LOUISE (Mitzi) C BROKAW
It is with heavy hearts that the Brokaw family announces their beloved Mitzi's passing, at the age of 99.
Born in Fond du Lac, WI, she lived at various times in St. Louis, Detroit, Milwaukee, and at the Hays family farm in Ashippun, WI., where she spent summers. Mitzi (then Spoerke) graduated high school in Detroit in 1943. Back in Milwaukee, she enrolled at the Layton School of Art, but after wartime ramped up, Mitzi transferred to nursing. She graduated as an RN from Milwaukee County General Hospital School of Nursing, where she met her future husband, Van Brokaw, while he was visiting his sister on the maternity ward.
They married in 1947, and she worked as an industrial nurse at the Plankington Meat Packing Co., joining her favorite aunt who was also a nurse. Van was employed at Allis Chalmers, while still flying weekends with the Air Reserves, and Air National Guard. They built a house in Brookfield, and needless to say, Mitzi was lucky to be independent enough to run the house and 4 kids, while being Boy and Girl Scout leader (also Summer Camp nurse).
As kids were raised, Mom used her nursing/Red Cross skills as an elementary school nurse. Later, she also returned to nursing at County General/Froedtert/Milwaukee Regional Medical Complex in separate stints in Oncology, Recovery, and at the Psychiatric Hospital.
Mitzi nurtured a life of varied skills and interests for all her kids. An avid reader, her books ranged from religion, murder mysteries, transcendental meditation and yoga, medical, computers, gardening and many cookbooks. She was a skilled sewer, quilter and Altar Guild member; rose gardener, and gourmet cook. She also loved all kinds of music, especially opera.
She also maintained an innate sense of color and design, (building a scale 3-D model of the home they built). Her many magazine clippings and vision boards pre-dated Pinterest by years. She loved her trips with Dad (on Air Force Refuelers) to Germany and Hawaii, and later years joining Dad on sales trips after the kids were grown. She lovingly cared for Dad, until he passed from Alzheimer's.
By far, her greatest joys were spending time with family, especially large meals at holidays or at the cabin they built in Eagle River. We remember her as a wise and caring person who could quickly "read" person and easily engage them in meaningful, honest conversation. She had a deep faith in God that would guide and comfort her to the end. She was a curious learner, and honored tradition, but embraced new thinking and technology, constantly seeking new information.
She alphabetized her spice rack, weighed the dishes before deciding where to store them, taught grandkids math with Poker and Gin Rummy, and sticking multiplication notes on the cabin walls. She respected a well-made Perfect Rob Roy, loved to laugh and had a witty sense of humor. She requested anti-wrinkle cream at 95, so she wouldn't look so old. And at 98, decided she wanted to learn to like beer, so she could have one while watching Packer games.
Mitzi was a cherished mother and grandmother, missed by her sister Helen Jean (John) Schildwachter and family (MN), her four children; Van (Pam) IL, Barbara (the late DeL) Wippich MN, Karen (Ron) Hegwood WI, and Bob (MaryJo) MN; 5 grandkids (Chelsea (Brandon) Famularo/Jon (Hayley) Hegwood, Andy (Veronica) Brokaw, Ben Brokaw/Celia Brokaw) and 4 great-grandkids (Joe/Ben, Emma/Adrian). Many cousins and friends have long called her their "other" mother, as her warmth and wisdom were often sought.
In honor Mitzi's pursuit of truth and compassion, she suggested memorials to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (StJude.org), WPR-Wisconsin Public Radio (give.wpr.org) or PBS Wisconsin (give.pbswisconsin.org/).
A celebration of Mitzi's life will be held at WI Memorial Park, Brookfield, WI on July 20; Visitation from 10-10:30am, Service at 10:30, Nightingale Tribute and luncheon to follow. An additional gathering with libation will follow at O'Donoghue's Irish Pub, Elm Grove. (Mitzi's request!)
After that, "Carry On".
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