Mark Broich

Mark Robert Broich, 70, of Ossian, Iowa passed away peacefully in his home on October 16, 2024, after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at St. Francis De Sales in Ossian, IA. The burial will be at St. Aloysius Cemetery in Calmar, IA.
Visitation will be from 9:30 - until the time of service, at St. Francis De Sales in Ossian, IA. Rosary will begin at 9 a.m.
Mark was born in Carroll, Iowa on July 13, 1954, to Robert and Edra (Weeks) Broich. The third child and oldest son of seven kids, he grew up on the family farm near Viola. He attended grade school in Viola, Iowa, and graduated from high school in Audubon, Iowa in 1972.
After completing high school, Mark attended Western Iowa Technical College in Sioux City, Iowa, where he studied Livestock Management and Marketing.
On October 5, 1974, he was united in marriage to Linda Christensen. They had two children and later divorced. In 2002, Mark met his life partner, Janet Brincks, when she was working at Pizza Ranch in Decorah. They got engaged in 2004 when Mark put a ring in Jan's breakfast cereal, and he gained a bonus family that he cared very deeply for. Spending time with the kids and grandkids was very important to him and he chose to become legal guardian for Hayden.
Mark was a fiercely determined farmer and loved what he did. He began his farming career in 1976 on a hog farm south of Aurelia, Iowa and later moved to a farm north of Alta, Iowa, and, with his brother, Marty, began the Broich Brothers farrow to finish hog operation. Mark was an excellent hog farmer, receiving the Master Pork Producer award in Buena Vista County, and was very active in the Buena Vista and Cherokee county as well as District Pork Producers, serving in all capacities. He was also very involved in his kid's activities, including school and 4- H activities. He was also involved in Knights of Columbus, serving on the Farm Service board, and enjoyed lots of activities with many friends and family. He even did a day of RAGBRAI with his family, riding from Storm Lake to Fort Dodge in blue jeans!
Even though he was very good at what he did, he was ready for a new challenge and decided milking cows 24/7 sounded like fun Leaving the hog operation to his brother, Mark decided to move his family across the state to operate his own dairy farm. He purchased his farm outside of Ossian, Iowa in 1992. Making the move to Northeast Iowa and change from hogs to dairy was difficult, but Mark was determined to make it work even with all the ups and downs. Even though much of his time was devoted to dairy and crop farming, he still tried to make time for some fun. He enjoyed exploring with Anthony and Hayden, helping them with 4-H activities, picking up cans in the ditches, having picnics out of the truck of the car, or just doing things around the farm.
Left to cherish his memory are his two children: Jina Wood of Waukon, Iowa and Joel (Christina) Broich of Alta, Iowa. Grandchildren: Brooklyn Wissbaum of Charlotte, North Carolina, Jaylyn Vandervort of Nebraska City, Nebraska, Taylor Vandervort of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Dannielle and Joshua Huskamp, Lydia, and Jeremiah Broich of Alta, Iowa. His life partner: Janet Brincks of Ossian, Iowa and her family: Mark (Deborah) Brincks of Lake Forest, California, Scott (Karen) Brincks of Henrico, Virginia, Aaron (Tami) Brincks of Calmar, Iowa, and Sarah Brincks-Kimiri of Hamilton, Illinois. Grandchildren: Rachel Brincks of Lake Forest, California, Kylie and Cole Brincks of Henrico, Virginia, Sierra and Donovan Kimiri of Hamilton, Illinois, Anthony (Allison Sletten) Pearson of Waukon, Iowa, Hayden Pearce of Lacrosse, Wisconsin, and Great-grandchild: Clarissa Pearson of Waukon. Siblings: Marcia (Martin) Hanson of Audubon, Iowa, Mary Lou Collins of Omaha, Nebraska, Marlys Yawarsky of Carroll, Iowa, Martin (Kay) Broich of Alta, Iowa, Marita (John) Grebl of Omaha, Nebraska, Michael (Shelley) Broich of Boone, Iowa, and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Brothers in law: Dennis Yawarsky and William Collins, Stepdaughter: Gina Brincks, and Grandchildren: Savanna and Dominic Horns.