Lynn Broyhill's Life and Tragedy

Portrait of Lynn Diann Broyhill

Lynn Diann Broyhill was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and grew up in Dakota City, Nebraska. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy F. Broyhill. She graduated third in her class in 1963 at South Sioux High School, and then chose to attend the University of Nebraska to study design merchandising in home economics.

While she attended the University of Nebraska, Lynn Broyhill was very involved around campus, as she was a member of a variety of organizations. Ms. Broyhill was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, where she held several positions, including vice president. She was also the vice president and honorary Lieutenant Colonel of Cadence Countesses, and was a member of the Nebraska Union Hospitality Committee, the Talks and Topics Committee, Kernels, Tassels, and the Young Republicans. Lynn was also a finalist for honorary sponsor of the Pershing Rifles, held several offices in the International Order of the Rainbow Girls and served as Grand Worthy Advisor of Nebraska, was a Cherry Blossom Princess at the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C., and was also an Aksarben countess-elect. (Program)

Ms. Broyhill and one of her fellow Pi Beta Phi sorority sisters, Jean Higgins of Schuyler, Nebraska, were traveling to Omaha, Nebraska, on September 8, 1966. They planned to purchase dresses in preparations for the upcoming Aksarben Ball, where Lynn would be honored as a countess-elect. Lynn Broyhill was the passenger in Higgin's vehicle as the two made the trip.

Higgins and Broyhill were attempting to pass another automobile when the vehicle they were traveling in collided with the right rear of a state truck that had been parked partially in the passing lane due to highway construction near Waverly. A devastating crash ensued; Lynn Broyhill was pronouced dead at the scene. Jean Higgins was critically injured and, because of injuries related to her accident, was forced to reside at the Madonna Care Center in Lincoln until her death in December of 1977. (Driver's)

Lynn Broyhill's Life and Tragedy