Jeanette Hunter Broers

Jeanette Broers April 13, 1913 ~ June 6, 2013 Jeanette passed away peacefully in Jackson, CA two months after her 100th birthday. She was born in Vancouver, Canada and immigrated as a young child to Washington State with her parents and brother. Her family moved to Montana for a short time, before returning to Seattle, where her father worked in the shipyards. Following an industrial accident, her father took a job as head cook at Beebe Orchards. She spoke often of walking in the snow across Beebe Bridge to catch the bus to Chelan High School. She graduated from Chelan High School in 1932. This was the same year she was voted Princess Chelan and rode in a convertible at the Apple Blossom Festival. She attended Washington State College in Pullman, before marrying Holly in 1932. Together they built Northwest Motor Freight Company, a successful business that operated in East Wenatchee for over 40 years, delivering freight throughout Washington and into Canada. Jeanette was a charter member of the Wenatchee Toastmistress Club. One of her proudest moments was when she became a naturalized citizen in 1956. Along with operating a trucking company, she and her husband had a small pear orchard next to their home on Rock Island Road. Later, she designed and they built their retirement home on North Joseph Avenue, where she and her husband expanded their orchard operations. She managed this orchard for many years following her husband's death. She delighted in providing canned fruit to family members and friends. An avid gardener, she loved roses and planted many varieties around her home. Following the death of her husband, Jeanette pursued a lifelong interest in art by taking classes at Wenatchee Valley College and from other artists. She built an artist studio, where she worked with oils, clay, pastels, acrylic and other mediums. During this time, she also managed multiple rental properties she owned. She was a longtime member of the Wenatchee Presbyterian Church. For the last 16 years, Jeanette lived with her daughter's family in the Sierra Mountains of California. A daily walk of over a mile each day kept her healthy. An avid reader, she could devour a book in a day. She traveled throughout California and the Northwest with her daughter and family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Halvor (Holly) Broers; son, Douglas Broers; and brother, Colonel Frank Wall, USAF retired. She is survived by her daughter, Carole Simmons and son-in-law, Jim Simmons. She had four grandchildren, Pamela Ritter (Simmons), Garrett Simmons, John Broers, and Heidi Broers-Vazquez; and five great-grandchildren, Anya Ritter, Hawken Ritter, Madison Broers, Oliver Vazquez, and Linus Vazquez. Family and friends are welcome to attend Graveside Services at Evergreen Memorial Park in East Wenatchee on Friday, June 21, 2013, at 11:00 a.m.

Jeanette Hunter Broers

April 13, 1913 - June 6, 2013