Virginia Broich, age 95 of Lake View, IA, passed away peacefully at Twilight Acres in Wall Lake, IA, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Virginia Mae Gehling was born on March 10, 1931, at home in Carroll, IA, the daughter of Henry and Regina (Reiling) Gehling. The family moved to Clare, IA, in 1939 and later to Gilmore City, IA.
Virginia graduated in 1948 from Gilmore City High School. She then moved back to Carroll and worked as a telephone operator until her marriage to Melvin C. Broich on June 5, 1950, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Carroll. Virginia and Mel moved to Lake View in 1953 where Mel was a co-owner of Kelly Motors. They raised their four sons, Steve, Tom, Jim and Bill in Lake View, where they formed and nurtured many treasured, life-long friendships. Virginia worked for 19 years in the Lake View Auburn School Food Service Department, eventually taking the position of head cook.
Virginia had many dear friends throughout her life and cherished them all. She loved playing cards, enjoyed her bridge clubs, was active in St. Joseph’s Ladies Guild and volunteered regularly at Black Hawk Life Care Center. She and Melvin enjoyed many nights dancing at Lakewood Ballroom over the years. She never passed up an opportunity to take a drive around Black Hawk Lake, especially with her dear friend, Margaret Scott. Virginia was a long-time Chicago Cubs fan and was excited to see them win the 2016 World Series. She will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her four sons – Steve (Jolene) Broich of Corvallis, OR, Tom (Sharon Kelly) Broich of Lauderdale, MN, Jim (Karen) Broich of West Des Moines, IA, and Bill Broich of St. Louis, MO; 6 grandchildren: Regina (Chris Dorr) Broich, Sarah Broich (Robert Kennedy), Aaron (Jessica) Broich, Adam (Ellen) Broich, Daniel (Elizabeth) Broich and Rebecca (Anthony) Luna; as well as 15 great-grandchildren. Also surviving Virginia are sisters-in-law Rita Gehling of Kilkenny, MN, Lota (Claire) Hannasch of Tracy, MN, and brother-in-law Neil Steinkamp of Lake View, IA.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Melvin on May 21, 1995; grandson Eric Broich; sister Frances (Leo) Wendl; brothers Lawrence (Jen), Ervin (Gert), Clarence (Florence), Paul, and Albert (Lois) Gehling; brothers-in-law Virgil (Ida) Broich, Paul (Marguerite) Broich, Harold (Katherine) Broich; and sisters-in-law Bernice (Doyle) Koster and Marie Steinkamp.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS please consider donations in Virginia’s memory that the family will designate to her favorite charities/organizations.
