Michael J. Broeker

Michael J. Broeker, 64 , of Washington, passed away on April 25, 2022. Michael, son of Robert Broeker and Patricia nee Michel, was born on October 16, 1957 in Washington. He received his education from Washington High School. On April 12, 1980, he was united  in marriage to Barbara Siedhoff in Washington.

Mike was well known in the community for his business, Broeker Construction, which he started in 1981. For almost 40 years he and Barb worked side by side on hundreds of job sites. If you knew Mike you knew the pride he took in his work. He set a bar with his quality of craftsmanship and was constantly critiquing his own work. Woodworking was one of his favorite hobbies and one of his greatest joys was working alongside his sons in the wood shop teaching and educating about his passion. For sometime now he’s had a dream of owning a saw mill. After some thought and the mindset, “you only live once” it was decided to purchase one. Like everything else, Mike jumped into this project with full force. We almost regretted teaching him how to use You Tube. He watched videos relentlessly in preparation for the day when the mill would arrive. We’re sure he had hundreds of ideas already in the works of things he wanted to build. Perhaps even notebooks full of meticulous notes or even instructions of how to build them-something he is also well known for. We so loved this about him. We only wish he could have been here to see it when the mill arrives. However, as every bolt, washer, and blade is being put into place we know he will be there supervising.

Another great passion of Mike’s was spending time at the family farm outside of Gerald. There were many hours that were spent lounging around the campfire, four-wheeling, cutting wood, taking walks through the woods, spending time with family and friends, and most recently, putting in the family 2-acre lake. It was his happy place and we are so fortunate he was able to be there the day before he passed, working on his skid steer, doing exactly what he loved. We know he will be sitting on his bench by the lake watching over us every time we are there.

Mike was a simple man. He wasn’t hard to please. If you wanted to feed him a meal, bring on the meat and potatoes. Dessert? Chocolate it is. What’s his perfect evening? Sitting with his bride on the swing in their backyard with a cold beer in his hand. His greatest loves were his family and his faith. When he was diagnosed with cancer his faith remained strong, as did our family’s love. After every appointment and every treatment, he was the one saying, “Its going to be ok” or “I’m fine.” And through it all Barb was right by his side. She was the love of his life and they were blessed with 42 years of marriage. Mike’s children were his pride and joy. His 3 daughters definitely had daddy wrapped around their fingers. He was so happy each found a wonderful man to love them as much as he did, and he will be with Jordan and Jamie later this year when they walk down the aisle and marry their best friends.  His 2 boys watched him work day after day, always questioning whether they would be able to fill his shoes, when there was never a single doubt in his mind that they would indeed do just that! He was so proud of all his children, their significant others, his 8 grandchildren, and the families they’ve created.

Mike, Dad, and Grandpa, we will miss those scratchy kisses from your beard, your belly laughs, looking into those baby blue eyes, and your callus hands, finding handwritten notes EVERYWHERE and not able to make heads or tails of what they mean. Enjoy your cold beer and those peanut clusters, we know you’ve been missing them. We’ll love you forever!

He was preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, Eunice and Gilbert Siedhoff and sister-in-law, Kathy Frick.

Among his survivors are his wife, Barbara Broeker of Washington; children, Joshua Broeker and wife Tamara of Washington, Jacqueline Wesselschmidt and husband Jacob of New Haven, Joseph Broeker and wife Katelin of Washington, Jordan Broeker and fiance Nathan Allgier of Gray Summit, and Jamie Broeker and fiance Justin Maupin of Washington; siblings, Roberta Broeker of Jefferson City, MO and Mark Broeker and wife Julie Heatherly of Chesterfield; eight grandchildren, Curtis Broeker, Brooklyn Broeker, Addison Broeker, Michaela Broeker, Gilbert Wesselschmidt, Abraham Wesselschmidt, Mabel Wesselschmidt, and Hattie Wesselschmidt; brothers and sisters-in-law, Marian Maune, Daniel Siedhoff and fiance Linda Reed, Joyce Vogt and husband Mike, Donald Siedhoff, Alan Siedhoff and wife Sheryl, Teresa Overschmidt and husband Rick, and Leon Frick; other relatives and many friends.

A private Celebration of Life will be held. Memorial donations can be made to the St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital.

Arrangements in care of Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, Washington.

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