Mary J. Broughton

GARRISON - Mary Josephine Broughton, 69, of Garrison, died Thursday, July 23, 2009, at her home.

She was born Jan. 28, 1940, in Detroit, Mich., to Valentine and Mary (Marcinko) Kretler. She grew up in Detroit and spent many summers on the shores of Lake Huron, where she fell in love with the majestic mystery as well as the deep peace that Big Waters would forever grant her.

She attended Mary Grove College and the University of Detroit. With her first husband, Kenneth Birjkovff, they adopted two children, William and Susan. They later moved to Wausau, Wis., where she was actively engaged in the League of Women Voters and her church. On May 23, 1975, she married the Rev. Lynn Broughton and enjoyed working with him, serving congregations in Illinois and Minnesota. Mary enjoyed bookkeeping and working with computers, skills she further developed and received an honor degree from Parkland College in Champaigne, Ill. Meanwhile, she perfected a skill in calligraphy, which gave her much enjoyment.

Mary was given the gifts of a bright mind, a wonderful sense of humor and a rare vitality of spirit, curiosity and passion for learning. She had a huge heart, a great love for family and friends and a deep faith in God and His grace that carried her through her last years of poor health. She was simply a unique, passionate and memorable human being, for which we thank God.

Mary is survived by her husband, the Rev. Lynn Broughton; her son, Bill Birjkovff, of Melvin, Ill.; her daughter, Susan (John) Orth, of the Far East; one stepson, Jon (Sandy) Broughton, and their children Elizabeth and David, of Ankeny, Iowa; one stepdaughter, Sara (Scott) Peelman, and their children, Kayla and Joey, of Pinehurst, N.C.; one sister, Denni (Pete) Lesinski, of Port Huron, Mich.; and two brothers, Fred (Fran) Schillinger, Washington, and William Kretler, Detroit, Mich.

She was a member of Light of the Cross Lutheran Church in Garrison. Blessed be her memory.

Funeral services are at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2009, at Light of the Cross Lutheran Church in Garrison. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2009, at St. Lucas Cemetery near Cottonwood, Minn. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday at the church. Arrangements are with Koop Funeral Home in Crosby, Minn.