Ned and Judy (Mayer) Brokaw will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on Sept. 28, 2020.
The Brokaws met at the 1956 Knox County Fair where Mr. Brokaw was a member of the Fredericktown FFA and Mrs. Brokaw was a member of the Willing Winning Workers 4-H Club.
After Ned's service in the Army Corps. Of Engineers, the couple was wed in 1960 in a small ceremony at the home of the bride. Gene Yarman was Best Man and Shirley Moreland was Maid of Honor.
The couple started the Ned Brokaw Grading and Excavating Company and together ran it for many years. In 1981, Mr. Brokaw took the position of Supervisor at the Drexel J. Thrash Training Center in Millwood. There he was in charge of all heavy machinery operations for the training of labor students. He retired from this position in 1998.
Mrs. Brokaw was the secretary for the Columbia School in Mount Vernon and then was the secretary for the family business and farm. Judy has been an officer in Local and State Garden Clubs and a volunteer at the local Fredericktown Interchurch Service office helping local families in need.
The Brokaws still own the family farm and continue the production of hay. Both have been active in restoring and showing antique John Deere tractors. Mr. and Mrs. Brokaw have been Local and State officers in these organizations. They are also past members of the Fredericktown Athletic Booster and Band Booster Clubs. They donated countless hours to 4-H and FFA while their children were active and look forward too many more with the next generation.
The Brokaws have a very close family bond with their children: Emilee (Steve) Hollis and Matt (Robin) Brokaw, their 3 grandchildren: Nate (Tiffany) Hollis, Lauren (Bryant) Smith, step granddaughter Kennedy (Daniel) Gomez, and 5 great-grandsons: Lane Smith, Lucas Smith, Calvin Hollis, Colt Smith, and Kyler Hollis.
The family will hold a private celebration at a later date.
