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Brom deMink

February 22, 1945 - July 28, 2021
Kalamazoo, MI

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Life Story Visitation

Thursday, August 19, 2021
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900

Where stories will be shared.

Driving Directions

Brief Tribute

Thursday, August 19, 2021
7:00 PM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Hackett Catholic Prep High School
1000 W. Kilgore Road
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Brom deMink was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. A hard worker and a fun-loving guy, Brom was a friend to many. He never seemed to have a hard time meeting new people and everyone he met felt comfortable in his presence. He leaves behind a warm collection of fond memories for all who knew and loved him.

Towards the end of WWII in 1945, Abraham and Gertrude (Fessenden) deMink welcomed home their youngest son, Brom, on February 22nd in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Joining his older siblings, Phyllis, Gerald, Larry, and Sarah, his birth brought great joy to the family home.

Growing up on Ashley Drive on the east side in Kalamazoo, Brom lived a typical childhood spent exploring. His father worked for the Gazette and later owned his own business as a typesetter while his mother stayed home. There was never a dull moment in the deMink household! Brom enjoyed seeking adventure and was especially close to his sister, Sarah, who helped raise him. As a young adolescent he fell in love with water activities such as waterskiing and boating at the family cottage on Eagle Lake in Bloomingdale. Brom attended University High and graduated in 1963. At University High he also enjoyed playing catcher on the baseball field and even played a short time for Western Michigan University (WMU). He finished WMU as his class’s top accounting graduate.

At WMU he met his sweetheart, Linda Jacobson. Sharing many special interests, they married June 18, 1966 in Kalamazoo. Together they raised two wonderful daughters, Patty and Susie. As a father, Brom was strict, yet loving and was very protective of the two of them. During summers, he was sure to take time off to take them sailing and enjoy vacations as a family. Active throughout their lives, he enjoyed coaching their Little League teams as well as attending Patty and Susie’s various Hackett sporting activities. As a provider, Brom worked as a CPA and a medical group consultant. During brief absences from his work as an accountant, he owned several restaurants, a furniture store, and several real-estate developments. Despite his busy lifestyle, he spent quality time with his family every chance he had! Brom instilled in his daughters the value of family as well as never taking life too seriously.

Brom lived his life to the fullest by nurturing his own wide variety of pastimes over the years. He loved to trade in his cars often and never owned one for too long as he was always interested in the next model. He also loved to collect boats over the years. Brom started with a small sailboat and over the years moved on to include power boats. His latest boat, Fuzz, was docked in South Haven and he loved to take people out for rides. Cars, boats, as well as Harley motorcycles were definitely his passion! He and his buddies took many exciting motorcycle rides and he thoroughly enjoyed his ride out to Sturgis, South Dakota, for the big bike rally. His love of his toys grew to include pool tables, camping supplies, and woodworking tools. Always willing to try something new, Brom enjoyed backpacking, camping and wood working in the basement. Over the past five years, he and Linda took up golfing as a hobby, so he also started collecting all types of golfing gadgets. He dabbled in cross country skiing, fly fishing, and drones, yet he always went back to his favorites; motorcycles and boating!

Brom was a people person through and through. The friendships he made in college, while biking and boating, and in his neighborhood always had room in his heart. The Newgate Neighbors, Hackett parents, CPA/Poker buddies, Biker Boys, boating friends, Doc 's and business friends, as well as his backpacker buddies, all brought him the greatest joy and laughter!

Equal to his love of his friends was the immense love he held for his beautiful wife, Linda, and their two daughters and their families. Even with Patty and her four children living in Louisville, Kentucky, he always looked forward to their special visits. He would work hard to plan out dinner menus and be ready to cook as soon as they arrived. In addition, Brom cherished the years they spent living down the street from Susie’s family. All his grandkids were deeply treasured. He could easily get them laughing and loved to teach them about his many special hobbies and interests. Brom cherished their special moments together. Brom felt equally about his sister, Sarah, and his many special nieces and nephews. Affectionate with animals, Brom always held special fondness for his pets, Max, Jake, Toby, and Casey.

Outgoing and social by nature, Brom was always entertaining! He enjoyed being surrounded by his loved ones as well as the many special friends in his life. Brom’s passion for life, family and friends and zeal for being different showed his depth of character that is his legacy to the many lives he touched over the years. He is gone too soon and will be deeply missed.

Brom deMink, age 76, died unexpectedly of a heart attack on July 28, 2021 in Kalamazoo. Brom was preceded in death by 3 siblings: Gerald(Peg) and Larry(Joan) deMink, and Phyllis Cunningham and brother-in-law, Dick Milne. Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Linda deMink; 2 daughters: Patty (Jon) Deye and Susie (David) Borski; 6 grandchildren: Andrew, Kevin, Alex and Josie Deye, and Lucy and Molly Borski; sister, Sarah Milne; brother-in-law: Larry (Chris) Jacobson; and many nieces and nephews. Cremation took place. Please join us at a Life Story Visitation where stories will be shared on Thursday, August 19 from 5-7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. The celebration will conclude with a brief tribute at 7 PM. Please visit Brom’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com, to archive favorite memories, photos and sign his guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to Hackett Catholic Prep High School.

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