Orlo W. Brokaw, 87, Glen Elder
GLEN ELDER – Orlo William Brokaw, born May 10, 1934, in rural Mitchell County, Kansas, to Orren and Blanche (German) Brokaw, passed away February 13, 2022.
The eldest of five siblings, he grew up a child of the Depression era in a Christian home, learning the lessons of hard work, respect and determination. Beginning in early childhood, he demonstrated instances of necessity being the mother of invention, in his youth he built a toy combine using free scraps of wood, with moving header using rubber bands; he built a radio from used tv and radio parts; and he built a grinder in his adult life. There were also an infinite number of lawn mowers brought back into use, which had been deemed “ beyond repair” by others.
He graduated from Glen Elder High School in 1952, and enlisted in the United States Air Force in March 1955. During his time of service, upon completion of boot camp, he was stationed at Nova Scotia, Canada, and assigned to work on the radios in the air traffic control tower. When this assignment was completed, he returned to Schilling Air Force Base, Salina, Kansas, until his discharge in March 1959. True to character of taking care of his family, while in the Air Force he sent money home, designating it for such things as material for new Easter dresses for his sisters or school shoes for his brothers. His first civilian employment was with Cunningham Telephone Association, Glen Elder, Kansas, as a telephone lineman.
December 6, 1959, he married Ruby Lee Railsback at the United Methodist Church, Ionia, Kansas. Two daughters were born to this union, Denise Boone and Darlene Beaumont. In 1969, the family moved to Kensington, Kansas, where Orlo began a nearly 30 year career as a telephone lineman with Rural Telephone, Inc. of Lenora, Kansas. He retired from Rural Telephone, Inc., April 30, 1996. Ruby passed away May 9, 1996.
During their residency in Kensington, Orlo built a home using his own skills, only hiring contractors as necessary. The entire family was involved in the process from tearing down three houses for lumber, digging footing foundation for the basement, pouring the concrete floor in the basement (during a blizzard), and doing his own electrical wiring. It truly was a home built with blood, sweat, and tears. Through these life models, Orlo provided for his family and passed his lessons of hard work and the value of a dollar to his children and grandchildren.
Throughout his adult life he actively participated in coonhunting, raising two world champion coon dogs; and fishing in Kirwin Lake, Waconda Lake, Lovewell Lake, as well as trips to Colorado and Missouri for trout fishing. He also enjoyed spending time at the family farm working on various projects and admiring the wildlife which enjoyed the safe haven he had created.
He married Barbara Clintsman Thompson April 14, 2007. Since 2015, after selling the home in Kensington, they have resided in Glen Elder, Kansas.
Survivors include: Barbara, of the home; daughters, Denise Boone, Hoisington, KS; Darlene (Steve) Beaumont, Great Bend, KS; Grandchildren: Spencer (Ashley) Boone, Rose Hill, KS; MacKenzie (Avory) Stegman, Overland Park, KS; Trey (Alexis) Herman, Shawnee, KS; Taylor Herman, Lenexa,KS; step-granddaughter, Sheridan Beaumont, Hays, KS; greatgrandchildren Milo & Coen Boone & Shaena Herman. Stepchildren: Larry (Alice) Thompson, Glen Elder, KS; Cheri (Gordon) Dougherty, Garden Plain, KS; Carol (Mark) Moran, Newton, KS; 12 step-grandchildren and 2 step-great-grandchildren. Brother, Dale (Joyce) Brokaw, Silver Lake, KS, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruby; sister Della Dykens; sister & brother-in-law Joyce & Calvin Thull; brother & sister-in-law Arden & Jessie Brokaw; & nephew, David Brokaw.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Friday, February 18 at the Glen Elder Friends Church followed by burial in the Ionia Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-7 PM with family present from 5-6 PM Thursday at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to the Glen Elder Friends Church. Roberts Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be left at www.robertsfamilyfs.com