Vicki Lynn Brough

This is the story of her 28,309 days.
Vicki was the second child to Jinny (Clara Virginia Steiger) and Jerry Bruner of Port Clinton, Ohio. She grew up on the shore of Lake Erie with her younger sister Lindi (Finke). The girls spent a great deal of time on the water in their small boat they kept at home and also fishing out of the Port Clinton Yacht Club with their father. Vicki also competed in the National Matches with a 22 rifle as a teen; she was, like her father, a great markswoman.
She graduated from Port Clinton in 1965. She started working at the Port Clinton National Bank during school and continued until she stayed home with her children. Vicki had her first "date" with the love of her life Raymond Beryl Brough when her parents picked him up as he was walking 4 miles home from football practice. They were married on July 2, 1966 at Trinity United Methodist Church. She supported him while he pursued his Industrial Engineering degree at General Motors Institute.
They raised three headstrong girls: Rae Brough (Andrew Suter) of Vermilion, Sandi Brough-Gresh (Kenneth Gresh) of Walled Lake, Michigan, and Teri (Paul) Marsden of Marblehead. Those daughters gave them 6 grandchildren, Ashley Brough, Amanda (and Chris) Rancourt, Alex Brough Suter (fiance David Birchall), Garrett Gresh, Ethan Gresh, and Killian Marsden; and 2 great grandchildren (Bentley and Finley Rancourt).
Additionally, she mentored hundreds of other kids with her husband Ray during her 55 years as an advisor to The Ace of Clubs 4H Club. Vicki was affectionately known as "Mrs B" by her 4-H members. Those members became royalty, at the Fair of course; doctors, lawyers, teachers, business owners, and other professionals. Vicki and Ray along with Boots and Bobbie Heileman founded Babyland at the Ottawa County Fair, which will have its 50th Anniversary this year. Annually, they held bake sales and car washes to help all of their kids attend 4-H Camp at Kelleys Island or beyond. They also hold a popular Hog Calling Contest during the fair.
In addition to being an advisor, Vicki also spent many years on the 4-H Advisory Committee and being a supportive spouse to Senior Fairboard Member and Past President. She also somehow found time to volunteer for the annual Salvation Army Christmas give-away, making sure everyone had hats and gloves.
For many years Vicki sewed for Lake Erie Sports in Port Clinton and Bowling Green, then she opened her own shop called Sew What Boutique?. She would sew patches on countless Varsity Jackets over the years. She did the same with Military uniforms and never charged a service member for doing so. Vicki designed a lot of spirit wear for local schools.
She also spent countless hours taking her children to practices and watching their basketball games, track and cross country meets, and marching band performances and science fairs. Then watching as the grandkids followed their parents footsteps and attended countless football and basketball games, swimming, track, cross country and gymnastics meets, and concerts.
The couple renewed their vows on their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2016. They were married for 57 years.
Unfortunately, her story got cut short, when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer just a few days before her birthday in November 2023; despite chemotherapy, her disease progressed and claimed her life just six months later. Time is the measurement of the number of days, but living is how we choose to spend our time and with whom we do that. Vicki had a wonderful, full, albeit cancer shortened life, which she spent being a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and volunteer.
Vicki was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Jeffrey who died in infancy, and her first born son, William, who also died in infancy.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the OTTAWA COUNTY 4-H COMMITTEE, 240 W. Lake Street, Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449 to establish 4-H Scholarships in her name.
Visiting hours will be from 5-8 pm on Thursday May 23rd, 2024 at Gerner-Wolf-Walker Funeral Home located at 216 Washington St., in Port Clinton. Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday May 24th, at Trinity United Methodist Church located at 135 Adams Street, in Port Clinton. Following graveside services at Riverview Cemetery, a light luncheon will be provided at the Church.