By: Sarah Vahlkamp

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

Today’s Wedding Wednesday story comes directly from an excerpt submitted by the youngest daughter of Bob and Maureen Broeker. Maureen Imming Broeker received her teaching certificate from Quincy College in 1957 while Bob Broeker graduated in 1959 with a History Teaching degree. Madonna Broeker, the youngest daughter and author of her parent’s’ story, also graduated from Quincy University in 2001 with a Theology degree and was the last of the children to do so.

“The year was 1955.  Maureen Imming had visited a few colleges, but when she got to Quincy College she said it felt like home.  The most likely reason for that was because she came from another area heavily influenced by the Franciscans, Effingham/ Teutopolis (IL).  She was going to college, and not just to earn her MRS, like so many people of that time thought.

Meanwhile, Bob Broeker had come home after graduating from Quincy Franciscan High School Seminary to care for his family for two years after his dad became ill.  A Quincy native, he was finally ready to enroll as a Freshman in 1955 as well.

Maureen had met and was dating someone pretty seriously, when she and Bob began to pass notes in class.  They got to know each other very well that way.  Maureen was interested in Bob and she tried to break up with her boyfriend but he wouldn’t hear of it.

Finally, Maureen went out with Bob anyway.  When Bob brought Maureen home, he kissed her good night and they both knew they were done dating anyone else.  In fact, when Bob arrived home that evening his mother asked where he had been.  His answer was, ‘Out getting myself a wife.’  And so even though Maureen did not go to college to earn her MRS, she did.  They have been married for nearly 58 years.

The couple did not settle in Quincy, though they did return very often, as 10 of their 12 children attended Quincy, seven of whom graduated from there.  Besides having 12 children, Maureen and Bob have 29 grandchildren, nearly 17 great grandchildren, along with seven sons-in-law and two daughters-in-law.  Bob considered the priesthood, but God made him a literal father to his own parish.”

Bob and Maureen Broeker were married on June 14th, 1958. They continue to live happily ever after and will be celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary this year.

If you would like to make a submission to the website, please send your story as well as any pictures with the subject line “Wedding Wednesday” to qumedia@quincy.edu.