Lydia L. Brooks

Funeral Services for Lydia L. Brooks will be conducted from the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bertrand, Nebraska on Saturday, February 17, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. with Reverend Jeff Ernstmeyer and Reverend Kenton Birtell, officiating. Interment will be in the Highland Cemetery at Bertrand.

Lydia Louise Brooks, 88 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska (formerly of Bertrand) passed away on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes. Lydia was born June 6, 1918 on the family farm southeast of Bertrand in Phelps County, Nebraska, the daughter of Henry and Sophie Louise (Holscher) Yurges. She received her education in rural Phelps County. Following her education she worked for various families in housekeeping and childcare ending up in Colorado, where she would meet her husband to be.

On February 5, 1943 Lydia was united in marriage to John Milton Brooks and to this union five children were born: Becky, Ruth, Charles, Paul and Bruce. The family made their home on a farm near Bertrand, where Lydia enjoyed life on the farm and focused her efforts on raising their children. In 1973 she was preceded in death by her husband, John. Following John's passing Lydia moved into Bertrand, where she was employed by the Bertrand Nursing Home in food service. Due to her health concerns she became a resident of the Holdrege Memorial Homes in November of 2003.

She was a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bertrand, where she was baptized and confirmed and active in many capacities including teaching Sunday School and member the Ladies Aide. Lydia enjoyed bowling, knitting, sewing, collecting cups and saucers and loved to travel.

She leaves to mourn her passing her children: Charles Brooks and his wife, Jean, Paul Brooks and his wife, Connie all of Bertrand, Bruce Brooks and his wife, Joni of Kearney, Nebraska; Becky Thornton and her husband, Mike of Scottsbluff, Nebraska and Ruth Henderson and her husband, John of Brock, Nebraska; 19 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Helen Brooks of Salida, Colorado and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides her husband, John she was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: Walter Yurges and his wife, Dorothy and Dale Yurges and his wife, Marjorie; sister, Alvina Vinzant and her husband, Gaylord and grandson, Jonathan Henderson.

Mrs. Brooks will lie in state at the Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand, Nebraska on Friday, February 16, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in her memory to the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bertrand.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand is in charge of the arrangements.