Richard ‘Dick’ Brokaw

WALNUT — Richard “Dick” Brokaw, 81, of rural Walnut died Monday, Oct. 2, 2017.

He was born July 2, 1936, to Orville and Bessie (Reichardt) Brokaw at home in Tiskilwa. He was the oldest of seven brothers and two sisters.

He graduated from Tiskilwa High School with the class of 1954. While in school, Dick was a good student academically. He also participated in basketball, track, cross country and football, as well as band.

On Sept. 10, 1954, Dick married Helen Fandel. They recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. They lived in Tiskilwa for a short time before moving to rural Walnut where they raised their family.

Dick is survived by his wife, Helen of Walnut, and their seven children, Ronald (Kim) Brokaw of Walnut, Gail (Walter) Siemens of Quincy, Edward (Kathy) Brokaw of Sterling, Ann Cobane (Dave Molln) of Ohio, Ill., Andrew (Pam) Brokaw of Hudson, Wis., Brenda (Charles) Hansen of Walnut and Daniel (Erica) Brokaw of Albuquerque, N.M.

Dick leaves behind 19 grandchildren, Julia Brokaw, Heather Luttinen, Marie Curry, Ali Brokaw, Mathew Siemens, Jason Brokaw, Nicole Vierthaler, Jessie Busbee, Rachel Gehlbach, Carrie Cobane, P J Cobane, Tiffany Spatz, Katie Brokaw, Brooke Brokaw, Brandon Hansen, Brett Hansen, Bradley Hansen, Bryce Hansen and Rylee Brokaw; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Dick is also survived by all of his siblings, John (Betty) Brokaw of Tiskilwa, Jim (Gwen) Brokaw of Tiskilwa, Robert (Kay) Brokaw of Kewanee, Chuck (Judy) Brokaw of Ran Tan, Ariz., David (Shirley) Brokaw of Kewanee, Gary (Brenda) Brokaw of Princeton, Marie Susan Morris of Bowling Green, Ky., and Mary (Danial) Thompson of Princeton.

During his lifetime, he worked a number of years for Ed and Ronnie Wolf of Walnut. He then worked for Bureau Service, initially at their Sheffield Elevator and finished his career as a petroleum salesman with FS. Dick was an elder and a founding member of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut.

Dick was a lifelong Cubs fan. He loved to hunt, especially for morel mushrooms. He enjoyed playing cards, fishing, trapping, bowling, golfing and softball. For several years, he played softball with all of his brothers (and his oldest son, Ron) in the Walnut Men’s Fastpitch Softball League. One year they won the league championship. Dick and his brother, Chuck, finished second in the Peoria Journal Star’s Brother’s Bowling Tournament. Dick was a referee with the Rock River Officials Association for many years. Dick was president and CEO of Brokaw Strawberries.

Dick was known to be generous with his time, and he enjoyed playing pranks on his kids and grandkids. He is remembered for saying: “Work hard and you’ll be ok!”

A celebration of Richard’s life will be from 1 to 4  p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Walnut Community Bible Church. Please bring your favorite “Dick Brokaw” memories.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials to go to Hospice of Rock River Valley.

Arrangements are by Garland Funeral Home in Walnut. Online condolences may be left at www.garlandfuneralhome.com.