Lavonne ‘Jaty’ Broadwell, of Lincoln, NE, passed away peacefully November 23, 2015 following an illness. She was born September 22, 1937 at York, NE to Alfred H. and Martha E. (Pohl) Tonniges. She attended York primary and secondary schools, and York College. She worked in Longmont, CO before marrying Roger L. Broadwell in York in 1959. After a year in Colorado, the couple returned to York, where Jaty worked as office manager of her father’s plumbing business. Five years later, they moved to Central City, NE to work in the family farming business. After raising her daughter, Jaty moved to Omaha in 1985, and then to Lincoln in 1997.
Jaty was a talented artist, painting with oils, acrylics and watercolors. She drew with pastels and loved to photograph trees, flowers and people. She was a dedicated friend to many, and truly cared about others, even strangers she would meet when she was out and about. She always had a smile, a listening ear and an encouraging word. She was a devoted mother who loved deeply.
Upon receiving a cancer diagnosis in the 80’s, Jaty sought alternative treatments to heal herself: mind, body and soul. She was determined and successful, defying the doctors, who told her she had six months to live. She remained in remission for almost 30 years.
Jaty is survived by her daughter, Susan E. Broadwell, of Minneapolis, MN; husband, Roger L. Broadwell, of Apache Junction, AZ; five sisters: Barbara (Lowell) Shum; Bette Peters; and Judy Burnham, all of Lincoln, NE; Carol (Jim) Dose of Hampton, NE; and Cindy (Frank) Ahrens of Stromsburg, NE; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother-in-law, Ardean Peters.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 12:00 pm at Roper & Sons, 4300 O Street, Lincoln, NE.
Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.