Maurice "Morrie" J. Bronkema

Maurice J. "Morrie" Bronkema, 81, of Forreston, died Monday January 1, 2018 in his home. Morrie was born September 19, 1936 in Fulton, Illinois, the son of John and Shirley (Drury) Bronkema. Mr. Bronkema married Judith A. Noordhoff July 19, 1958. Judith passed away May 2, 1993. He then married Pat Schoel on May 21, 1994. Morrie was Manager of Forreston-Lanark Ready Mix for 38 years. He also worked with Rogers Ready Mix and Materials, Stephenson Farm Services, and Greenfield Farms throughout his career. Morrie was a member of the Forreston Township Board, Ogle County Zoning Board, and Forreston City Council. He was one of the founders of the Forreston Ambulance and a member of the Forreston Fire District. He served on the N.W.I. Sports Hall of Fame Committee. He coached Little League Baseball. During his free time Morrie was an avid gardener, toy collector, and supporter of Forreston Athletic Programs. He enjoyed fishing, bicycling, and traveling with his wife, Pat. More than anything, Morrie liked being around all of his grandchildren and attending all of their activities. Surviving are his wife, Pat Bronkema; three sons, Gary (Lisa) Bronkema of Forreston, Dan (Kim) Bronkema of Rockford, and David (Dawn) Bronkema of Liberty Township, Ohio; daughter, Laurie (Joe) Banderet of Freeport; four brothers, Lyle (Molly) Bronkema of Clinton, Iowa, Wayne (Mary) Bronkema of Pearl City, Paul (Evelyn) Bronkema of Stockton and Merle (Maria) Bronkema of Pearl City; six sisters, Alice (Bob) Geissberger of Freeport, Wilma Hiteman of Freeport, Faye (Fred) Schieder of Freeport, Evelyn (Dennis) Elmer of Dakota, Diane (Lavern) Akins of South Wayne and Cheryl Bronkema of Freeport; five grandchildren, Jacob Bronkema, Joe (Rachel) Bronkema, Abbigail (Kevin Metras) Bronkema, Tanner (Kelsey Thruman) Bronkema and Brady Bronkema; two step-daughters, Debra Brady and Dawn Wood both of San Antonio, Texas; four step-grandchildren, Matthew Brady, Shayna (Ayden) Brady, Tyler Wood, and Austin (Brittany Orr) Wood; brother-in-law, Gordon (Diane) Bielema of Los Fresnos, Texas; Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, and an expected great-grandchild in June. Morrie was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Judith; grandson, Devin Lee Bronkema; and brother-in-law, Adli Hiteman; Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday January 6, 2018 at First United Methodist Church, Forreston. Rev. Roger Bronkema and Rev. David Poust will officiate. Visitation will be 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Friday January 5, 2018 at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home, Forreston. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. A memorial has been established for Ogle County Hospice and First United Methodist Church in Morrie's memory. Please sign his guestbook and share a remembrance at www.burketubbs.com.