Johanna Broene was born on January 20, 1861 in Uelsen to Harm Hendrik Broene and his third wife, Jennechien Dyke. She was the second child born to his mother and the seventh born to his father. In 1865, Gesina emigrated from Grafschaft Bentheim to Graafschap, Michigan, along with her parents, five half–siblings, and three siblings. She was four years old.
Johanna died from scarlet fever on December 9, 1874 at the age of 13 years in Graafschap, Michigan. Her burial site is unknown.