George Broadwell
George Broadwell, 88, of Thief River Falls, MN passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at Thief River Care Center, Thief River Falls, MN with his loving family at his side.
George Luther Broadwell was born November 8, 1935 in Argyle, MN to Ilem Valentine and Marie “Alma” Angelique (Loranger) Broadwell. He was baptized into the Catholic faith in Argyle and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fosston, MN. He attended Pinepoint grade school in Ponsford, MN, graduated from Fosston High School with the class of 1954, and later graduated with a drafting certificate from Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis.
On September 19, 1959, George was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Audrey Renee Kleindl, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bejou, MN. The couple made their home in Crookston, MN. To this union four sons were born, Brian, Mark, Todd, and Chad. In 1966 the family relocated to Thief River Falls.
While in Crookston, George worked as a Civil Engineering Technician for the Polk County Highway Department. In Thief River Falls, George worked for Stewart & Walker Consulting Firm for many years. He also worked for Widseth Smith & Nolting, before finishing his career as the Pennington County Assistant Engineer, retiring in 2009. After retirement, they spent winters at their home in Sun City, AZ.
George was an extremely hard working man, who always put his faith and family first. He was an animated storyteller who made friends and gained trust easily. He passed on his problem solving skills and can-do attitude to his sons. He was curious, showed interest in his family and kept up with local and national news.
George loved camping with his family and attending his sons’ hockey games. Later in life he enjoyed traveling on bus trips and cruises, and visiting Hawaii with friends.
George enjoyed nature, hunting, snowmobiling, and hobby farming at his hunting land near Fosston, MN. Beekeeping was both a hobby and sideline business which involved the family for many years. George also had a keen interest in following his stock market investments for over 40 years.
George was an active member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church where he served as an usher and Knights of Columbus member for many years. He was active with the Jaycees, Pennington County Sportsman Club and, in his later years, the Golden Pioneers.
Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Audrey of Thief River Falls; sons, Brian (Sherrie) of Savage, MN, Mark (Pam) of Sartell, MN, Todd (Lyla) of Willmar, MN and Chad (Ruth) of Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren, Katie (Chris) Huber, Kelsey (Jason) Tosheff, Abby (Rob) Freeman, Alison (Nick) Hartmann, Lauren Broadwell, Tyler Broadwell, Alex and Cody Broadwell, Camden and Brooklyn Broadwell; great-grandchildren, Tristan and Ronan Huber and Caroline Hartmann; siblings, Doria (Irving) Bakken, Virginia Anderson, Viola Olson, Irene Lindfors, June (Bill) Anderson; brothers-in-law, Earl Visser and Elton Kleindl; sisters-in-law, Carol Broadwell and Linda Broadwell; and many other relatives and friends.
George was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Lorayn Visser, Victor Broadwell and Donald Broadwell; brothers-in-law, Gerald Anderson, Eddie Olson, Vernon Lindfors, and Harold Schonhardt; and sisters-in-law, Adeline Schonhardt and Virginia Kleindl.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2024 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM, with a 5:00 PM prayer service following.
The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 1:30 PM on Monday, October 14, 2024 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Father Rick Lambert presiding. An additional visitation will take place beforehand at 12:30 PM.
