Obituaries

Joan Ann Bronkema, 86, of Bells, TX, passed away on August 9th at her home in Bells surrounded with love by her children and grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held graveside at 1:00 pm on November 12th, 2026 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church Cemetery with Father Wayne officiating. Dannel Funeral Home of Sherman, TX graciously cared for Joan’s final resting wishes, with Triska’s Funeral Home in El Campo, TX handling her final arrangements.

Joan was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on December 29, 1939. She married John Bronkema on August 29, 1957 in Providence, RI. Above all, Joan was a mother. She remained deeply devoted to her children throughout her life, continuing to pour her love into the children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren who were the center of her world. Joan was a woman of remarkable strength with an endlessly giving heart. She had a gift for making each person feel remembered and cared for. She never forgot a birthday and was always thinking about what she could do to help make someone’s life a little better. She was fiercely independent and worked hard to care for her family. Bowling was her passion and she was a member of several bowling leagues over the years. She loved scratch-off tickets and always hoped to win big, not to treat herself, but to care for her family and others in need. Joan’s greatest legacy is the lessons she passed on, not so much through words, but by the way she lived each day. She treated everyone with kindness and respect, was gracious in all circumstances, yet still strong in her convictions. She forgave easily and met the world with compassion despite the many hardships she faced. Most of all, she showed us that love truly is the greatest gift of all. Her strength, grace, kindness, and love will live on through the generations she leaves behind.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, John Bronkema; her foster mother, Rose Nestor; her eldest daughter, Teresa Rose Kennedy; her brother, Joseph Rainville; and her sister, Terry Roy.

Joan is survived by her children, John Bronkema (Tammy), Tony Bronkema (Jennifer), Ray Bronkema (Kimberley), Robert Johnston (Cristian Vargas), and Donna Smith (David); her son-in-law, John Kennedy; her grandchildren, Kade, Skip and Sean Kennedy, Dustin Bronkema (Brandy), Mandy Rector (Scott), Anthony Bronkema (Becca), Olivia and Grant Bronkema, Brittney Wehrbein (Boyd), Mabel and Ella Smith; and her great-grandchildren, Carson and Logan Kennedy, Grace Kennedy, Owen, Aubrey, Jaxson, Hayden, Kaleb, and Jolene Bronkema, Anthony, Colby, and Alyssa Leonard, Paige Rector, Callista and CeCe Bronkema, and Collin, Carson, and Cayla Moon.

Memorials may be given to Tunnel to Towers or local homeless shelters. The family of Joan wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Church, Cindy Syfert (RN), Norma Taylor (CNA), and Guardian Hospice.