Margery A Brom

Margery A. Brom was born on July 28, 1926 in Atkinson, Nebraska, the second of four children born to C. I. and Bonnie Pease. In 1935 the Peases moved to Des Moines where Marge’s father was a teacher. Marge graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines in 1944. She worked for two years helping with the war effort before starting classes at Iowa State University.

While at Iowa State Marge was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, the Women’s I Club, and the Naiads Synchronized Swim Club, serving as president of the Naiads during her junior year. She graduated in 1950 with a major in sociology and minors in math education and physical education.

Marge was a schoolteacher in Carroll, Iowa for two years before marrying R. Hovey Brom (Iowa State Class of 1952). Marge and Hovey have made their home in Waterloo where Hovey has worked as an architect.

Marge and Hovey raised three children: Dirk (Iowa State Class of 1976), Kristi (Iowa State Class of 1977), and Timm (family rebel who went to the other state schools). Marge is a devoted mother and grandmother to eleven grandchildren: Jarrod, Sarah, Stacie, Lauren, Renae, Timothy, Natalie, David, Daniel, Elizabeth and Luke. She also has three great-granddaughters: Isabel, Sadie and Claire.

Community volunteerism has been an important part of Marge’s life, as evidenced by a 60-year volunteer award in 2006 from the American Red Cross. She was one of the first Lifeguard Instructor Trainers and a Water Safety Instructor for over 40 years. She was named Red Cross Volunteer of the year for the State of Iowa for 1976/77, served on the Hawkeye Chapter of the American Red Cross Board for many years, and was President of the Hawkeye Chapter in 1981. She has also served on the American Red Cross National Committee for Nomination of Board of Government Members.

In addition to volunteering for the Red Cross, Marge was a Girl Scout Leader for 8 years and volunteer worker for 10 additional years, serving as President of the Conestoga Council of Girl Scouts from April 1994 to April 1996. Marge and Hovey both sing in the choir at Zion Lutheran Church, where Marge has served as President of the Zion ELCA Church Council and as a Sunday School teacher. Marge was also a board member of the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra for about 40 years, and served as president of that board. She is an active PEO member and participates in a book club.

Marge achieved a life-long dream when she obtained a private pilot’s license at age 63. She is an avid swimmer and downhill skier. A wonderful cook who is known for her hospitality, Marge also enjoys knitting and other crafts. Marge’s many interests, selfless giving and love of life are an inspiration to all who know her.

Submitted on 10/8/07