Dawn Kay Broeders
SUN CITY, Ariz. — Dawn Kay Broeders, 79, of Sun City, Arizona passed away at home surrounded by family on Saturday, September 25, 2021. Dawn was born March 29,1942 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Rowen) Wilbee. She and her husband John Broeders were teenage sweethearts and married at the Congregational Church in Rapid River on June 9, 1962. They made their home in Rapid River where they shared most of their married life before retiring to Sun City, Arizona.
Dawn began her working life as a secretary for Mead Paper Company. When her father needed more extensive care for his illness, she left her job and devoted her time to his caregiving. After his passing she became the caregiver for her great-uncle, Tom Tennant.
In 1973 she and John opened their own grocery store, the B&W IGA in Rapid River, Michigan. They spent the next 18 years working alongside their family and building a thriving business in the community.
In 1991, Dawn and her husband opened an adult foster care home, Broeders Garth Shores AFC. She provided love and care for her residents as if they were her own family.
In 2007, Dawn joined John in retirement and made their main home in Sun City, Arizona. She spent the remainder of her years between Michigan and Arizona enjoying family and friends in both places.
Dawn was blessed by having a loving church family at All Saints Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Arizona and Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid River, Michigan.
Dawn was a loving wife and was devoted to her children and grandchildren. Her family was always the center of her life. Along with her husband John she is survived by her daughter, Deborah (Juergen) Erkert of Glendale, Ariz.; daughter, Sandra (Brent) Sauve of Rapid River, Mich.; son, Charles (Larry) Broeders of Bay City, Mich.; and daughter, Sherri Broeders-Johnston of Peoria, Ariz. She is also survived by a brother, Robert (Sheree) Wilbee of Rapid River, Mich. and sister-in-law Sharon Wilbee, Rapid River, Mich. In addition to her children she is survived by nine grandchildren: Jason Erkert, Mitchell (Sarah) Erkert, Keith Erkert, Jessica (Adnan) Sauve-Syed, Blair Sauve, Brendin (Jaszma) Broeders, Morgan Rodriguez, Jacob Johnston, and Rachel Holm. Dawn also has five great-grandchildren: Ella, Emilia, and Deacon Erkert, Ilyana Syed, and Skye Rodriguez. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Dawn was preceded in death by her parents, George and Elizabeth (Rowen) Wilbee and brother Fred Wilbee.
A memorial service will be held Friday, October 15, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid River at 6 p.m. The family will be available for conversation and condolences from 4 p.m. until the service begins. A meal and fellowship will follow in the hall of Calvary Lutheran Church after the service. The Skradski Family Funeral Home is assisting the Broeders family.