Eileen Broughton

Eileen Broughton, 94 years of age, of Mankato, passed away peacefully at her home Tuesday, May 20, 2014. She was born on November 8, 1919 in Lolita, Texas to Henry and Lydia (Byrne) Broughton. Eileen was cared for by her loving family her entire life. At the age of 11, she moved from the family farm in Texas to the family farm in Hayden, Colorado. Throughout her life, Eileen wintered with her family in Port Isabel, Texas, Tucson, Arizona, and Mexico where she had a pet Monkey. She remained in Hayden until moving to Mankato in 2010. Eileen loved babies and baby dolls. She loved to read books and two of her favorite books were “Madeline’s Rescue” by Ludwig Bemelmans and “You Are Special” by Max Lucado. She enjoyed tapping her toes to music, having her nails painted, and Christmas year round always asking if Santa was coming for dinner. She would drink her coffee, or as Eileen put it, “Cocao”, in the mornings out of a white Wedgewood tea cup. At night, when told to go to bed, Eileen would respond with “go to bed sleepy head”. Eileen had an innocent joy and her laugh will be missed by her best friend, devoted caretaker, and niece, Kimberly. In Greek, Eileen meant light, and she was the light of Kimberly’s life. All who met her enjoyed her light and laughter.

Eileen is survived by her niece, Kimberly Stenerson and partner Jamie Pearson of Mankato; great nieces, Audrey Gibbons of New York, New York, Emily Gibbons of Binghamton, New York, Mallory Pearson of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Karolyn Pearson of Los Angeles, California; and many loving and caring extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Hazel Eleanor Stenerson; and brother-in-law, USAF Captain Jenkin Norman Stenerson.

Memorial Services will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, May 28, 2014 in the Melby Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Gerry Sharp officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Hayden Cemetery in Hayden, Colorado. There will be no viewing but a register book will be available to sign from 9 AM to 5 PM Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at Melby Mortuary in Mankato. Memorials are suggested to the Harmony United Methodist Church in Mankato in care of the mortuary. Melby Mortuary, PO Box 384, Mankato, KS 66956 is in charge of arrangements.