Carol James Brokish

Carol James Brokish, age 91, passed away on Monday, September 14, 2020. He was born on September 15th 1928, in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, to Jacob and Gertrude (Meudt) Brokish. His mother passed away when he wasn't quite 3 years old. After his father remarried, he was raised by his father and second mother, Lorena (Koenig) Brokish. Raised on his parent's farm in Dodgeville, he attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse. Following grade school, he attended and graduated from Dodgeville High School. Carol married the love of his life, Maleta Ernzen, his partner through good and bad, through whatever challenges they faced, on September 12, 1950. Together they raised a family of 8, and recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. After a brief time in civilian life Carol joined and became a proud member of the US Army. He served two years in the Army, of which 11 months was served overseas in Germany, while Maleta was pregnant with their 1st child. Upon returning and being discharged from the Army, Carol was a member of the Army's Emergency Reserve Corps (ERC) for an additional 5 years. After serving his country, Carol worked as a laborer at the Dubuque Packing Company for 29 years. Carol, loved going fishing, and would go whenever time allowed, often taking 1 or more of the children. When up North, summer and then winter ice fishing were commonplace. After moving south to Texas, and eventually to Florida, Carol relished going saltwater fishing. He also enjoyed hunting and most anything to do with the great outdoors. Carol never strayed too far from farm life. He maintained a large garden in Dubuque, Iowa, and when they moved to Brownsville, Texas, he kept citrus trees and a garden. When the family grew, while located in Dubuque, they started camping, at first with a large tent. They eventually purchased and converted a 54-passenger school bus for family outings. Over the years, every summer, they would take the entire family on a 3 to 4-week vacation across the entire continental US, into Canada and Mexico. The family spent many happy, and very memorable moments traveling together which was a rare gift shared by all. Upon retiring, Carol and Maleta continued to practice Public Service. As proud members of the Catholic Church, Carol and Maleta served for many years, at the churches they were members of as Eucharistic Ministers - most recently at St. Paul Catholic Church in Leesburg, Florida. While living in Brownsville, they served in the American Red Cross for many years. Once for several days, they helped out after Matamoras, Mexico suffered the devastating effects of an earthquake. They also traveled to Guatemala on a Friendship Exchange Mission. After the last child left the house, Carol and Maleta went on many adventures together. Going on many cruises to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, and an East coast cruise from Canada to New England to see the leaves change colors during the peak fall season. They traveled to Alaska, cruised around Alaska, visited Alaskan villages, and then cruised down to Vancouver, Canada. They also took a trip to Australia, visited with Aborigines, and saw several exotic animals, including being able to hold Koalas at the Australian Zoo. After having his aorta valve replaced Carol's health slowly began to deteriorate. He had suffered hearing loss due to the 29 years he spent working in a factory. More recently he experienced memory loss which eventually, in the last year, progressed to full stage Alzheimer's Disease. Carol is now strong again, pain free, his memory is as sharp as ever, and he is at peace in God's Kingdom. By now he has already been greeted by a very large welcoming committee - led by his loving daughter, Lois, and all those family members and friends who preceded him. Lois loved ice fishing too, so who knows what those two are up to. Carol was preceded in death by his daughter, Lois Marie Bateson in 2016, his parents, his sister, Sister Ann Clare (Rita) Brokish in 2010, and his brother, John Brokish in 2017. Carol is survived by 7 children; Tony (Shirley) Brokish of North Smithfield, RI; Mary Ann (Ken) Hall of Moline, IL; Paul (Heidi) Broward of Ecuador; Kathy (Jeff) Lawson of Mayslick, KY; Dave Brokish of Lakeway, TX; Tom (Sarah) Auld-Brokish of Portland, ME; and Linda (Rodney) Bollinger of Coral Springs, FL; along with Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren. He is also survived by five brothers: Larry (Virginia), Ray (Marie), Joe (Nancy), Harry (Linda) and Jerry (Ginny), and eight sisters: Sister Evelyn Brokish, Lorena (George) Macholl, Margie Krakow, Mary (Howard) Shear, Genny (Marv) Johnson, Sharon (Frank) Nason, Marcia (Chuck) Devendorf, and Doris (Tim) Trout. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to St. Paul Catholic Church, the community of Brittney Estates, UF Health Leesburg Regional Hospital, The Villages Regional Hospital, and the many Doctors, Nurses and Technicians that took care of Carol over the years. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff and residents of Village Veranda at Lady Lake, Florida, who were very kind; where he peacefully passed away. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 8:30AM on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020, St. Paul Catholic Church in Leesburg. Father Mark Librizzi will officiate. Burial with Military Honors, will be held in the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. For those unable to attend, the Mass it will be live streamed from St. Paul's on YouTube... http://ccstpaul.com/live-web-cam/ At a later date, to be determined based on COVID being defeated, a Catholic Mass will be celebrated in Carol's honor at St. Paul Catholic Church in Leesburg. Additionally, either prior to or after the Mass, a Celebration of Carol's life with take place. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Heart Association in the name of Carol James Brokish, or to your favorite charity.

Carol James Brokish

September 15, 1928 - September 14, 2020