Kim David Brokaw

Kim David Brokaw, 69, of Ellendale, ND passed away January 4, 2024. Kim was born to Jim & Joanne (Ladd) Brokaw on July 15th, 1954 in Aberdeen, SD. He attended school in Forbes, ND along with his 8 brothers and sisters. As a brother and classmate, Kim learned leadership through his involvement with the 4H clubs, Young Citizens League, basketball, baseball, school plays, and debate. He graduated in the top ten of his class of 1972. Kim attended UND Lake Region in Devils Lake, ND for a year and studied welding. He moved back to the family farm in the hills and continued to ranch with his parents for many years. In the summer of 1973 he met the girl he was gonna marry at the Maud Evan Saddle Club dance in Forbes, ND. The next day he brought his dad into the bowling alley to meet her. Kim married Cheryl Cae Zinter November 23rd, 1974. They quickly started the family way and were blessed with three beautiful babies. Bradley David, Lori Renee and Kelly Kim born on her dad’s birthday. Kim & Cheryl lived up in the hills by Wirch, ND until 1989 when they moved down to the Merkel house. Kim worked long days and nights ranching, farming for his animals, and custom haying. He was very active teaching his kids horseback riding and hauling them to horse shows. When they weren’t in school, he made sure they knew what it took to run a ranch and help out neighbors and family when they called. Kim’s favorite hobbies involved his animals, bowling, golfing, fishing, hunting, poker and starting intense discussions then sitting back and watching the fireworks. His memory was impeccable and proved proficient in making new friends and finding how he knew them or someone they knew, no matter where he went. His favorite chapter of his life began with his new title “Grandpa”. His grandchildren were the prides and joys of his life. He loved talking about them, teasing them, watching them play sports, and showing them his love of ranching and farming. Kim flirted with death many times in his life; the running joke was that he was on his third cat, if each cat truly had nine lives. Despite how hard he lived his life, he kept busy these last years working on the Hokana Ranch and with many other farmers/ranchers in the area. He always worried if Cheryl knew how much he loved her, she took care of him for so many years, and he was pretty proud and happy to be able to return the favor this last fall. He went out Wednesday after having another great night of bowling. Kim exited this life and was welcomed to his eternity with a hug from his son, Brad, father Jim, sister in-law Marsha (Zinter) Beckius and in-laws Verland & Nadine (Jury) Zinter. Those left to miss him are his wife, Cheryl, children Lori (Chris) King of Galena, OH, Kelly (Jim) Schmidt of Ellendale, ND, mom, Joanne Brokaw of Forbes, ND, siblings Greg Brokaw, Kevin (Jackie) Brokaw, Kay (Keith) Kronberg, Lois Baer, Mary Jo (Norm) Fries, Carol (Doug) Kindelspire, Lynn (Tom Samson) Brokaw and Lloyd (Mark Ford) Brokaw. Grandchildren Landon & Louis Schmidt of Ellendale, ND and Keegan & Kash King of Galena, OH. Along with many nieces, nephews and friends.