Myrtle Broderick

Myrtle Phillips Broderick

Mass of Christian burial was offered Saturday, June 30, 1990, at 11 a.m. at the Church of Nativity B.V.M. Harrison, Neb., for Myrtle Phillips Broderick, with Father Neal Nollette officiating.

Mrs. Broderick passed away June 27, 1990 at Crawford Memorial Hospital, Crawford, Neb.

She was born March 21, 1900 in Thurston County, Neb., to Orin Benjamin and Mary V. Pelcher Phillips. The famed Omaha Indian doctor, Susan Pecotte was the assisting physician.

She graduated from Walthill High School in 1918 and attended Wayne State and the University of Nebraska, where she received her teaching certificate.

She came to Van Tassell, Wyo., by train in 1922 where she had a teaching position. She was the first high school teacher at Van Tassell. It was there she met John Broderick. The couple spent many happy hours together riding horseback to the various neighboring functions. The couple was married Oct. 4, 1924 at Julesburg, Colo.

They ranched in the Van Tassell community several years before buying the original Broderick homestead in 1935. It was on the ranch they raised their five children; Mary Ellen, Jackie, Tom, Pat and Kay.

John and Myrtle moved to Harrison and purchased a home in 1946, but continued to operate the ranch. They enjoyed the many friends and relatives who visited them through the years.

John and Myrtle celebrated their 62nd Wedding Anniversary in the fall of 1986, before John's death in March of 1987.

Their son, Pat, was killed in 1961 in a truck accident and a son, Tom, passed away suddenly on Jan. 24, 1990. Two sisters and two brothers preceded her in death.

She is survived by her three daughters; Mary Osback, Casper; Jackie Herren, Harrison; and Kay Goecke, Guernsey; 11 grandchildren, her two daughters-in-law, Donna of Casper and Bonita of Harrison; sisters Dorothy Brewer, Hemet, Calif. and Sara Jacobson, Downey, Calif.; brother, O. B. Phillips, Long Beach, Calif. and many nieces and nephews.

The rosary was recited on Friday evening at the Church of Nativity led by Father Nollette. Burial was in the family plot at the Harrison Catholic cemetery.

She was a member of St. Theresa Altar Society, Nebraska State Historical Society, Trailside Museum, Sioux County Cattlewomen Organization.

She was a devoted wife, mother and friend. She will be sadly missed by family and friends.

A memorial to the Harrison Rescue Unit has been established.

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