Kenny McBroom

Kenneth Clell McBroom, age 88, the son of Clell Clement and Lela Mae (Hall) McBroom, was born August 14, 1932, at Garden Grove, Iowa. He died at his rural Garden Grove, Iowa home on Thursday, July 8, 2021.

Kenny, as he was known, grew up and attended school in Leroy, Iowa. While growing up, he and his family traveled to California to pick seasonal fruit and vegetables. He graduated from Leroy High School in 1951. While doing maintenance work and operating the concession stand at Lake Ahquabi near Indianola, Iowa, Kenny met the love of his life, Shirley Jean Chambers. Kenny was drafted into the United States Army in October of 1952. They were married on February 27, 1953, and moved together to California. After his honorable discharge in August of 1954, they made their home in Des Moines, Iowa where Kenny worked at Fry Manufacturing. Later they moved to Indianola, Iowa and were blessed with son, Noel. In 1956, they moved to a farm in Decatur County. Their sons, Terry and Dana, were born while living there. The family moved to their current farm in 1964, and in 1967, they were blessed with daughter, Cherene.

Over the years, Kenny farmed and was a rural mail carrier for 20 years, retiring in 1996. He loved spending time with his family – especially the grandchildren, his farm, his chickens, peacocks, guineas, and geese, and his Allis Chalmers tractor. He was a people person and loved to visit with everyone.

Preceding him in death were his parents; son, Noel Eugene McBroom in 1990; grandson, Eric McBroom in 2010; and his siblings and their spouses, Shirley and Dave Ulsrud, Allen and Lynnette McBroom, Ray and Nellie McBroom, and Dale and Jean McBroom. Survivors include his wife, Shirley McBroom of Garden Grove, Iowa; children, Terry and Martha McBroom of Melcher, Iowa, Dana McBroom, and Cherene and Chad Patterson of Indianola, Iowa; grandchildren, Beth & Don, Jay & Jackie, Dani & Joe, Jacob & Wendy, Aaron & Shannon, Ben & Kelsey, Mason, Abby, and Haleigh; 20 great grandchildren; brother, Ron McBroom and wife, Ginny of Winterset, Iowa; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held at the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 17, 2021, with Gary Walters officiating. Burial will be in the Metier Cemetery, Garden Grove, Iowa.
Memorials may be given to the Metier Cemetery Fund in Kenny’s memory.