Mollie Idell Broms, 89, of Peoria, passed away at Methodist Medical Center at 4:17 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, surrounded by her family. Graveside services and interment will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 11, 2012, at Peoria Hebrew Cemetery, 2807 West Heading Avenue, with Bonnie Fenton officiating. Mollie was born on August 18, 1922, to Joseph and Leona (Sherman) Wolk in Minneapolis, where she was raised with her brother, Milton Wolk, and four sisters, Florence Kivo, Dena Levine, Annie Shore and Estelle Arenson. They all preceded her in death. She met her late husband, Lee Broms, playing baseball in the streets of North Minneapolis. She and Lee married in Minneapolis on March 15, 1942. They traveled to Peoria in 1949 with their two daughters, Sandra and Linda. Later that year, daughter Marilee was born and in 1956 they added son Jeff to the family. Lee preceded her in death on August 9, 2009 in Peoria. Together, Mollie and Lee founded Lee Broms Furs and Fashions, one of Peoria’s landmark retail shops. She was a devoted wife and mother, as well as a respected businesswoman and community leader. She was a member of the Agudas Achim Synagogue and of B’nai B’rith Women, where she served on the board and as its President for many years. As a member of Eastern Star, she devoted her time and energy to charitable, educational and fraternal interests. She was also actively involved in Altrusa International and Hadassah. Mollie is survived by her four devoted children, Sande Bjergo of Eden Prairie, MN, Linda (Gil) Antokal of Deerfield, IL, Marilee (Scott) Sprenger of Peoria and Jeff Broms of Peoria; eleven grandchildren, Reed Bjergo, Angie Bjergo Lease, Staci Antokal Seed, Melissa Antokal Gumenick, Carrie Antokal Rizman, Joshua Sprenger, Marnie Sprenger, Liza Broms Iluzzi, Jeremy Broms, Hillary Broms and Joey Broms; and twelve great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mollie’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association Central Illinois Chapter, the American Heart Association or to the Peoria Hebrew Cemetery Association at 805 West Country Meadows Lane, Peoria, IL 61614. The Broms family would like to thank Heartland Health Care Center of Peoria and Methodist Medical Center’s Emergency Room and ICU for their excellent care. Arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home, 3004 West Lake Avenue, in Peoria.
| Cricket Hess |
friend |
May 12, 2012 |
Jeff so sorry to hear of your loss. Your mom was one of a kind. She will be missed by all who knew her. You have her strength and flair. My prayers to you to help you get thru this trying time.
| MARILYN AND DON ULLMAN |
FRIENDS |
May 11, 2012 |
DON AND I SEND OUR LOVE TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. OUR FAMILIES GO BACK A LONG WAY TOGETHER. I HAVE A SMILE ON MY FACE WHEN I REMEMBER GOING TO BROMS AND BEING GREETED BY YOUR MOM AND HAVING HER TELL ME WHAT I SHOULD TRY ON . WE HOPE YOUR HAPPY MEMORIES BRING SMILES TO YOUR FACES TOO...DON AND MARILYN ULLMAN
| paula hernandez |
friend |
May 11, 2012 |
Jeff, Marilee, Sandy and Linda,
Words won't accurately express the love we all feel for your Mom. She was both my mentor, my teacher, my strength and my friend. She was like a grandmother to all of my children. She had a special bond with Jose; I could't have gotten through losing him without her kind words and loving hugs whenever I fell apart. We all feel blessed that she became part of our lives. Life is not going to be the same without her. She taught us all many lessons about living. She will never be forgotten. Thank you all for sharing her with us. May God comfort you with loving memories and each other.
With all of our love,
paula, bryan, lynda, lauryn, bella and brandyn
(and jimmy)
| Greg Gerontes-Jeanine Stimelig |
and the staff at Hecht-Stout Insurance |
May 11, 2012 |
Jeff, our sincere sympathy to you and your family on the passing of your Mother.
| Diana and Ed Johnson |
Friends of the Family |
May 11, 2012 |
Jeff and Family,
Ed and I are very sad to learn of Mollie's passing. We had many delightful and interesting conversations with Mollie. Those great memories will help us in this time of sorrow. We hope your many happy memories will help you get through this most difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ed and Diana Johnson
Peoria, IL.
