[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 24, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JULIA BROECHER

 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Julia 
Broecher from my hometown of Murdo, SD, as she celebrates her 100th 
birthday. Julia was born in Kimball, SD, to Thomas and Sophia Lebeda. 
At the age of 3, her family moved to Murdo, where she has lived ever 
since. Julia is the oldest of 14 children, and five of her siblings are 
still living today.
  Julia married Carroll Broecher in 1937. The couple had four children, 
three girls and one boy. Today, Julia has 15 grandchildren and numerous 
great- and great-great-grandchildren.
  In her youth, Julia worked as a country school teacher for several 
years, and later in life, she was the head custodian for the Jones 
County courthouse and a well-known restaurant in Murdo.
  Over the years, Julia has had a significant impact on the Murdo 
community and has been a fixture at school and community functions. She 
is a charter member of the Community Bible Church where she taught 
Sunday school to many children. One of those children was me. She was 
known in the area as being a master seamstress, making many wedding and 
prom dresses for young women, as well as teaching young women how to 
sew. Julia loves to fish and play cards and dominoes with family at the 
Murdo Senior Center.
  Julia has always welcomed challenges with a loving and caring 
attitude and is the embodiment of the American values of faith, family, 
friends and freedom.
  Happy birthday, Julia.

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