Obituary of Marcella Brodersen

A Mass of Christian Burial for Marcella Brodersen, age 100, will be held Monday, December 4, 2023 at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. A visitation will take place on Sunday, December 3rd from 2:00-4:00 PM at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford.

Marcella Marie Yender was born October 3, 1923, on a farm just west of Early, Iowa. She was the youngest daughter of Alwin Francis Yender and Pauline Katherine (Hartman) Yender. She had a sister Helen Elizabeth and two brothers Gilbert Joseph and Joseph Francis. 

She attended school at Nemaha, lowa graduating in 1941, continuing her education at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa. She became a teacher of a one room country school north of Laurens, lowa for 2 years and 1 year west of Sac City, Iowa. 

Her brother Joseph moved to a farm southwest of Ayrshire, lowa, while attending a neighborhood picnic with her brother, Marcella met William Lowell Brodersen. On July 6, 1946, they were married at Sacred Heart Church in Early, Iowa. They began their married lives together southwest of Ayrshire on a farm, welcoming their first son Steven Wayne on September 7, 1947. Their daughter Pamela Jeanne was born September 21, 1949, followed by two sons, Brian John September 1, 1952, and David William March 20, 1957. In 1952 they moved to the family farm where William Lowell was born and farmed for another 23 years before moving to Milford, lowa in 1975. Marcella helped farm the land, cared for the animals, grew a large vegetable and flower garden, and raised her children. 

After moving to Milford, she worked at H.E. Jacobs Clothing and Variety Store, while continuing her love for growing flowers, sewing, crafts, and knitting. Marcella was a member of the Rosary Altar Society, Catholic Daughters, and the American Legion Auxiliary.  She volunteered for many years delivering Meals on Wheels in the Milford area.   In later years she enjoyed putting puzzles together and reading.  

Marcella lived in Milford until 2015 when she moved to St. Luke's Assisted Living Center in Spencer, Iowa where she enjoyed playing cards, bells, and socializing with other residents. She moved to St. Lukes Nursing Home after falling and fracturing her hip in February and femur in August until her passing on November 29, 2023. She was very proud she was able to achieve the status of Centenarian on her 100th birthday and became the first member of her family to achieve this. 

She is survived by her daughter Pamela Jeanne of Titonka, lowa, sons Brian John (Debra) of Spencer, and David William of Matlock, lowa. Grandchildren: Deb (Lyon) Anderson Johnson Kansas, Cody (Alyse DeVries) Williams Mason City, Iowa, Erica (Scott) Brown Aurora, Colorado, Todd (Vicki) Roskens North Liberty, Iowa, Jennifer (Shane) Halbur Milford, Jillian (William Evans) Origer Riverside, lowa, and Melissa (Aaron) Sedey Delano, Minnesota. Great Grandchildren: Stewart Williams, Ansley Williams, Charles DeVries, Aaron Anderson, Ally Anderson, Sienna Brown, Brooklyn Brown, Faith Roskens, Caroline Roskens, Cris Halbur, Jake Halbur, Jackson Barr, Henry Barr, Finely Sedey, Makena, Sedey, and Kipton Sedey. Many nieces and nephews. 

Preceding her in death are her husband William Lowell, parents Alwin and Pauline Yender, brothers Gilbert and Joe Yender, sister Helen Dahm, son Fr. Steven Brodersen, and son-in-law Charles Andrew Williams. 

The family would like to thank the staff of St Luke's Assisted Living, St. Luke's Nursing Home, and Hospice for their kindness and care over the years.