DENNIS “DENNY” Broekhuis was born to Arthur and Clarice (Vander Sluis) Broekhuis on June 5, 1952, in Pipestone, Minnesota. Denny started school at Pipestone Elementary in special needs class. He lived at home with his family in Edgerton on weekends and in Pipestone with his Grandma Vander Sluis while attending classes. Eventually Pipestone elementary recommended that Denny should get his education at Hope Haven school for Handicapped Children. He was a student in the first years of Hope Haven. He lived with three different families in Rock Valley and spent weekends at home with his family in Edgerton. Denny flourished and completed his education at Hope Haven. It was there that that he learned to read and gained the valuable skills necessary for independent living.