Lillian Dorothy (Wiemers) Broom

Lillian Dorothy Broom, 105, of Yorktown passed away Thursday, December 30, 2021.  She was born November 3, 1916 in Yancey, Texas, to the late Christopher and Emma Neuman Wiemers. The oldest of seven children, Lillian grew up in Yancey during the Great Depression, and she graduated from high school in 1933.

Lillian graduated from Southwest Texas State University, and she earned her Master’s Degree in Education at a time when few women attended graduate school. She then taught school for 43 years. After she retired, she took substitute teacher jobs.  Lillian maintained contact with many of her students throughout the remainder of her life, and told many stories of her pupils and her life as a teacher.

Lillian married Paul Broom in 1944, before he set off to fight for the U.S. Army in WWII. They had their first daughter, Paulette, in 1946, followed by Janice in 1947. They raised their family on their farm near Pleasanton, Texas, growing peanuts and other crops. A deeply resilient lady, Lillian was once bitten by an unknown poisonous snake, and after a trip to the hospital, she slept with her foot in an ice bath all night. Paul and Lillian were married for 32 years before he passed away in 1976.

Lillian was an amazing cook, and family members loved to visit as she always had pies, fried pies, cookies, and cheese straws among other scrumptious snacks.  She shared these treats with friends and neighbors as well. Lillian’s beef soup and green beans were the stuff of legends. Lillian was also an accomplished seamstress and thoroughly enjoyed quilting and sewing.

In her retirement, Lillian enjoyed travel and went on many trips, including to Europe, Australia, Canada, China and Russia.  She said her favorite trips included an Alaskan Cruise and to New Zealand. Ever the teacher, she documented each trip with slideshows she shared with family and friends after each trip.

Lillian remained active into her 90s, driving until she was 100, attending family reunions, was a member of Eastern Star, played the piano for her church, drove the elderly to doctor appointments, played dominoes and bridge, and the list goes on. Always an athlete, Lillian was still playing tennis at age 89.

Lillian battled lung cancer for 7 years, and she recovered from Covid-19 in March 2021.

She is survived by her daughter, Paulette Menn; son-in-law, Max Anderson,  grandchildren, Stephen (Krista) Anderson, Julie (Chris) Carter, Sara (Butch) Reger, Amy (Joe) Burnes, Christi (Sean) Clark, and Becky Nelson; and great-grandchildren, Brittney Heibel, Max Fitzsimmons, Conley Carter, Savannah Anderson, Katie Carter and Maddie Carter.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Paul Broom, her daughter Janice Anderson, son-in-law Paul Menn, sisters Mildred Royal, Helen Helton, Mary Bremer and brothers Stanley Wiemers, Arthur Wiemers, and Howard Wiemers, and many cousins and friends.

Visitation will be 4-6 pm Friday January 7, 2022 at Massey Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10 am Saturday January 8, 2022 at Massey Funeral Home.  Interment will follow at 2 pm Saturday January 8, 2022 at Brite Cemetery near Pleasanton, Texas.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Anderson, Max Fitzsimmons, Butch Reger, Joe Burnes, Chris Carter and Conley Carter.

You are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.masseyfh.com

Memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church of Yorktown and M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.    

Arrangements by Massey Funeral Home, Yorktown, Texas 361-564-2900                                                                        

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