Mary Rae (Melssen) Broadwell, of Dubuque, passed away at Ennoble Manor peacefully on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.  To celebrate Mary’s life, family and friends may visit from 8:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m., on Monday, May 4, 2026, at St. Raphael Cathedral, 231 Bluff Street.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday at St. Raphael Cathedral.  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.  Behr Funeral Home is assisting Mary’s family.

Mary was born on August 22, 1943, to Raymond and Arnolda (Kolfenbach) Melssen.

Mary attended and graduated from St. Mary’s Grade School and then the Academy of the Visitation in Dubuque.  In her junior year in high school, she heard the calling of the Lord and joined the Franciscan order in Dubuque.  In 1961, before her final vows, she left the community.  She started to work at Fashion Touch Cleaners.  Throughout her life she also worked at John Deere Dubuque Works, Kwik Stop and Flexsteel Industries.

In 1964, she met Kenneth Broadwell.  He was the love of her life.  They were married at St. Mary’s Church on November 6, 1965.  From this union four children were born.  Donald, Julie, Brenda and Frederick.

Mary was a kind and loving wife, daughter, sister and mother. Over the years, she also took on the role of care giver for her parents, husband, daughter and many aunts and an uncle.

If you ever walked by Mary’s kitchen or her room at Ennoble, you’d hear a radio playing and Mary singing along.  She loved to sing and she knew all the rock and roll songs and some country too.  Even while suffering with Alzheimer’s, she could be heard singing, dancing and clapping to the music.  She had a voice like an angel.

Mary loved to bake. She especially loved rhubarb cake and chocolate cake.  She was a ruffle potato chip connoisseur and a Nutter Butter fanatic.  Pepsi was her drink of choice when she and Ken went out with friends or when they went to the Boat Club events.

She is survived by her sons, Donald (Sue) Broadwell of Dubuque and Frederick (Fiancée Heather Schroeder) Broadwell of Dubuque; and her daughter, Brenda Broadwell of Gilbert Arizona.

Grandchildren are Robbie (Samantha) Broadwell, Kristen (Garrett) Broadwell Kucera, Madison Rae Smothers and Stephanie Duve; and three great grandchildren. With 2 additional great grandchildren expected soon. They will miss Mary’s sense of humor and teasing jokes.

Also surviving her are her brothers, John (Joan) Melssen, Minneapolis, MN and David (Coleen) Melssen, Ankeny IA; her sisters, Ann (John) McCormick, Caledonia Il, and Jane Jackson from Bellevue, IA.  Her sister-in-law, Connie (Dennis) Zlabeck, Potosi, WI and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ken Broadwell, parents, Raymond and Arnolda Melssen, daughter, Julie Broadwell, her mother-in Law, Ann Broadwell, father-in-law, Donald Broadwell; as well as many aunts and uncles.

Mary’s family is so grateful for the amazing care that the staff gave to Mary at Ennoble Manor.  We’d also like to give a special thank you to Mary and Brenda’s lifelong friend, Robin Richter, and Hospice of Dubuque for their attentive care during her stay at Ennoble Manor.

May she rest in peace.  Mary, we will miss you.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Mary’s honor to be divided among her favorite charities.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com