Darlene Marie (Max) Brooks

Monday, May 3, 2010

July 22, 1930-April 30, 2010

CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- Darlene was born July 22, 1930 on a farm northwest of Cambridge, Nebraska, in Frontier County to Carl and Lola (Toots) (Bridgeford) Max.

She attended elementary school at Happy Hallow; District 15, south of the family farm in Frontier County. She graduated from Cambridge Public Schools in 1949. While in high school she enjoyed playing the trumpet and sang in the school choir, something she enjoyed her entire life and passed on to her grandchildren. While in school, she worked for the dime-store, as well as babysitting for Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Andrews. She continued to work at the dime-store until Aug. 3, 1950 when she married Glenn Brooks in McCook. To this union a daughter, Glenda and a son, Douglas was born.

She and Glenn made their first farmstead 3 miles southeast of Cambridge. In 1952, they moved a mile closer to town, to the old Key place. In 1967, they moved northwest of Cambridge, on the lake road. During that period she enjoyed the B Square Extension Club. In 1984 she started working as a nurse's aide at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital. In 1998, she received the first Merle Harpst Award. She continued to work at the hospital until retirement in 2004. After her retirement, she and Glenn continued to farm. She also enjoyed collecting dishes, and pretties, as well as playing her organ. She also took great pride in taking care of her many grandchildren. She resided with Glenn on the lake road until her death, Friday, April 30, 2010, at the age of 79 years 9 months and 8 days.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Toots; one brother, Lloyd (Bud) Max; one sister, Neoma Brown; and one sister-in-law, Ilah Max.

Her survivors include: her husband, Glenn, of Cambridge; one daughter, Glenda and her husband Dennis Mues, of Cambridge; one son, Douglas and his wife Barb Brooks, of Cambridge; one brother-in-law, Don Brown, of North Platte; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral services will be Turesday, 10:30 a.m., May 4, 2010, Trinity United Methodist Church in Cambridge, Nebraska, with Pastor Sherry Sklenar officiaitng. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery in Cambridge.

Memorial may be left in Darlene's name at the Lockenour Jones Mortuary in Cambridge.

Lockenour Jones Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.