Theodore Broeders, Sr.

Theodore “Ted” Broeders, Sr., age 86, of Escanaba, passed away peacefully Sunday evening, March 28, 2021 at home surrounded by his family. He was born on May 13, 1934 in Foster City, MI, the son of Gerard and Gertrude (Taucher) Broeders. Ted married the love of his life, Nancy Tolman, on July 11, 1953. Together, the couple shared 67 years of marriage. He loved to tinker with carpentry, mechanics, and enjoyed fixing things. Ted worked at his father’s bar in Gladstone and had many different jobs, including Northern Motor Rebuilders, until he purchased the LaBranche Tavern in 1971. He completely remodeled it and owned and operated the business with the assistance of his wife and children. Ted lost the bar to a fire and rebuilt it from the ground up. He and his children worked to build a log cabin while preparing to retire. After 27 years in the bar, he sold the business and moved into his pride and joy – the cabin. Ted loved his family dearly and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren – especially making memories camping, hunting, and fishing.

Theordore Broeders, Sr. is survived by his wife, Nancy Broeders; 3 sons, Theodore (Shelly) Broeders, Jr. of LaBranche, MI, Bruce Broeders of LaBranche, MI, and Robert (Victoria) Broeders of Escanaba; 4 daughters, Sue (Don) Carlson of Foster City, MI, Linda (Mark) Johnson of Loretto, MI, Lila (Wade) Johnson of Bark River, and Judy (Max) Hinkley of Zimmerman, MN; 16 grandchildren, Carrie DePotie, Leslie Theisen, Michelle Dausey, Shawna Koenig, Amanda Thoune, Sarah Lucas, Rebecca Johnson, Regina Freudinger, Wade Johnson, Jr., Jessica Bruce, Tara Hinkley, Kaliegh Hinkley, Katrina Hinkley, Bethanie Hinkley, Chelsea DeShambo, and Robert Broeders, Jr.; 25 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Ernie, Donny, and John Broeders; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Ted was preceded in death by son-in-law, Mark Johnson; grandsons, Jeremy Johnson, and Alan Broeders; brothers, LeRoy, Gerard, Leo, Nick, and Melton Broeders; and sisters, Alida Gasperick, and Pearl Elberson.

Private family Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Foster City, MI with Father Darryl Pepin officiating. Burial will take place in the Foster City Cemetery. A public celebration of Ted’s life will be held at 5:00 p.m. (EST) on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at the LaBranche Tavern located at W2961 M-69 Road, Perronville, MI 49873. Nancy and the Broeders family would like to thank all of the special caring nurses from U.P. Health System Hospice. Also, a very heartfelt thank you to their neighbors, Lori and John, Tim, and Ralph for always being there for them. 

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