Shirley Elizabeth (Johring) Broad

Shirley Elizabeth Johring Broad was born on May 18, 1932 in O’Neill, Nebraska to Martha Storjohann and Fred Johring. The youngest of five, she grew up in a close knit farm family who started every day by listening to Martha read from the family bible, and Shirley became a Christian when she was nine. As a child, Shirley rode her horse Speck to the country schoolhouse, and later attended high school in O’Neill. In high school and college, she won recognition for her beautiful soprano voice, and she shared her talent widely, singing solos and with vocal groups for school, social, and church functions.

In 1950, she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota to attend Minnesota Bible College, where her sister Velma had previously attended. To pay for tuition, her mother Martha raised calves and chickens and sold eggs and butter. Shirley came home during the summers to work on the farm, teach summer Bible schools, and spend time with family. In college, she made many dear friends, led church music services throughout Minnesota, and served as the College’s receptionist from 1953 to 1957 before graduating with a Bachelor’s in Sacred Literature, and a Church Secretarial Certificate.

At Minnesota, Shirley met the love of her life, Kenneth Broad, a theology student and preacher from Streator, Illinois. After his graduation from Lincoln Bible College in Illinois, he decided to attend Minnesota for further study: Shirley was the first person he met upon his arrival. They became engaged in 1957, and married on May 30, 1958.  They held their reception in the College’s main building at 15th and University, before honeymooning in Wisconsin and Illinois.  Shirley and Kenneth were married for 65 years without a single argument, and he cared faithfully for her to the very end.

They moved to Kimball, MN, to serve at Kimball Church of Christ, and welcomed their first son Dallas in 1960.  When Kenneth’s arthritis worsened and necessitated a move to a warmer climate, they accepted the call to serve the church in Denver City, Texas. In Denver City, they welcomed their middle son Douglas in 1962, and their daughter Kendra in 1965.

In 1969, they accepted the call to serve Central Christian Church in Portales, New Mexico, where Kenneth served as pastor from 1969 to 1985, while Shirley served wherever she could. Even after Kenneth retired, Shirley continued to serve, and was known for playing the organ and leading hymns for the early service.

Wherever she went, Shirley won hearts and made dear friends with her exemplary character, kindness, goodness, wonderful musicianship, and dedication to serving the Lord. Shirley enjoyed sewing, baking, woodworking, and gardening. She made the best oatmeal raisin cookies and fixed excellent green beans, but her specialty was a 22-minute Texas chocolate sheet cake.

Shirley and Kenneth were travelers, and put many miles on their minivan visiting friends and relatives all over the country. They took a cruise to Alaska, and fondly remembered their two trips to the Holy Land after Kenneth’s retirement.  Shirley also helped Kenneth manage the Norman Petty Studio, and enjoyed meeting people from all over the world when they came for tours.

Shirley was a devoted grandmother, and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Two of her grandchildren, Kiley and Kara, lived far away, but she was glad to spend time with them whenever she could. She also cherished the time spent weekly with her New Mexico grandchildren, Olivia and Micah, and cooked wonderful Sunday lunches for the family to share after church each week. She hardly ever missed a concert, ball game, or school function, and took great joy in caring for her family.

In later years, her world was narrowed by dementia and mobility issues, but still shaped by love: she loved FaceTime visits with her first great-grandchild Ava Jo, talking to family and friends on the phone, taking drives around town with Kenneth, and playing hymns on her piano.

After several weeks’ stay in the hospital for cardiac issues, Shirley passed away peacefully in the palliative care ward on March 9th, 2024, with her family close by. She was met in heaven by her beloved parents, sister, and brothers, a host of dear friends, several family pets, and her horse, Speck. Her legacy lives on in her husband, Kenneth Broad, their three children: Dallas (Amy Carr) Broad of Albuquerque, Douglas (Karen) Broad of Columbus, IN, and Kendra (Jody) Land of Clovis; as well as in her grandchildren: Kiley (Laura) Broad of Columbus, IN, Kara Broad of Tallula, IL, Olivia Land of Pecos, TX, Micah Land of Iowa City, IA, and great-grandchild Ava Jo of Tallula, IL.

Though we will love and miss her everyday until we meet again, her memory is a blessing to us, and we are eternally grateful for the wonderful years she shared with us.  A celebration of life service will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Shirley’s memory to her nephew Craig Johring’s outreach mission, Hope of the Poor, which serves the poor and shares the Gospel in Mexico City. Donations can be made online at hopeofthepoor.org, or via check at the following address: PO Box 6081, Lincoln, NE 68506-6081.

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