Mildred "Midge" Brooks
May 1, 1928 — November 12, 2023
IN CELEBRATION OF A WONDERFUL LIFE
Pleasantville Says Goodbye to Mildred Brooks
Mildred “Midge” Brooks, 95, left this life on November 12th, after a brief hospitalization, surrounded by loving family and friends who had a chance to say goodbye and celebrate her remarkable life.
The community is invited to attend her viewing at the Bertrand / Mason Funeral Home in Pleasantville from 5:30 — 7:30 PM on Wednesday, November 15th. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, November 16th, at Pleasantville Christian Church, followed by graveside services at Pleasantville Cemetery and a luncheon at the Memorial Hall in Pleasantville.
Born on May 1, 1928, Midge began a near-century of leadership in the Pleasantville community. In 1947, she graduated from Pleasantville High School, and was soon married to Benny Brooks, who died in 2004, after 57 years of marriage.
Midge’s moral compass never wavered throughout her remarkable life. No matter how difficult the challenge, or how much pain she faced, Mildred Brooks remained relentlessly positive. She lived life to the fullest, and the biblical teaching to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” was her signpost. Her wisdom, quick wit and common sense were a source of joy and inspiration — right up until her last days. Guided by faith and hard work, Midge was the matriarch of the family and a model for how to live a great life.
Born with the gift to play “by ear”, Midge played organ at the Pleasantville Christian Church for decades up until the time of her death. Midge shared her talent as an organist, and was a treasured employee for over three decades, at Bertrand Funeral Homes.
In addition to playing a leadership role in her church, Midge dedicated her life to family farming in the Pleasantville community. Like so many in rural Iowa, Midge never met a stranger and was the first to come to the assistance of any neighbor in need. Midge and Benny were leaders in the 4-H program and the Marion County Cattlemen's Association.
Midge was a passionate supporter of the Pleasantville school system. Like her mother before her, Midge was the “town seamstress”. She donated countless hours to make, alter and repair band, dance and athletic uniforms. In later years, Midge was a dedicated fan of sports and gymnastics events played by her grandchildren in Carlisle.
For a lifetime of achievement, Midge was honored in 2001 as the Pleasantville Booster Club Fan of the Year and was an inaugural inductee into the Pleasantville Community Schools’ Hall of Fame. The Pleasantville Chamber of Commerce recognized Midge as Person of the Year in 2006, and honored her with their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
Midge has inspired generations of family members as well as her many lifelong friends. Those left to honor her memory include children and family raised as children, including Lynn and Kenny Horsman of Pleasantville; Charlotte Moore of Atlanta, Georgia; Jenifer and Randy Rowray of Des Moines; Jerry Hartz and Jennifer Vasiloff of Alexandria, Virginia; Sandy and Rich Oldaker of Milo; and Donna and Doyle Schrader of Lacona. Grandchildren include Dana and Todd Kirisits and Mike and Annie Reeves — all of Atlanta, Georgia; Jolene and Jerry Erdmann of Olathe, Kansas; Tom and Crystal Horsman of Knoxville; Valerie Wright of Pleasantville; Evelyn Hartz and Chris Stewart of Portland, Maine; Alicia Hartz of Boston, Massachusetts; and Ben and Avalyn Rowray, Nathan Rowray and Brooklyn Rowray — all of Des Moines. Great grandchildren include Ashton Horsman, Brayden Wright, Erin and Kate Kirisits, Tristan Douglas and Hadyn Reeves.
Midge was preceded in death by her husband Benny; her parents Lee and Ethel Knouse; sisters Irma Ellsworth and Fern Hartz; son-in-law Tom Moore; and nephew Roger Hartz — as well as loved in-laws and other relatives.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pleasantville Christian Church for a memorial that will be dedicated to Mildred Brooks.
Pleasantville Says Goodbye to Mildred Brooks
Mildred “Midge” Brooks, 95, left this life on November 12th, after a brief hospitalization, surrounded by loving family and friends who had a chance to say goodbye and celebrate her remarkable life.
The community is invited to attend her viewing at the Bertrand / Mason Funeral Home in Pleasantville from 5:30 — 7:30 PM on Wednesday, November 15th. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, November 16th, at Pleasantville Christian Church, followed by graveside services at Pleasantville Cemetery and a luncheon at the Memorial Hall in Pleasantville.
Born on May 1, 1928, Midge began a near-century of leadership in the Pleasantville community. In 1947, she graduated from Pleasantville High School, and was soon married to Benny Brooks, who died in 2004, after 57 years of marriage.
Midge’s moral compass never wavered throughout her remarkable life. No matter how difficult the challenge, or how much pain she faced, Mildred Brooks remained relentlessly positive. She lived life to the fullest, and the biblical teaching to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” was her signpost. Her wisdom, quick wit and common sense were a source of joy and inspiration — right up until her last days. Guided by faith and hard work, Midge was the matriarch of the family and a model for how to live a great life.
Born with the gift to play “by ear”, Midge played organ at the Pleasantville Christian Church for decades up until the time of her death. Midge shared her talent as an organist, and was a treasured employee for over three decades, at Bertrand Funeral Homes.
In addition to playing a leadership role in her church, Midge dedicated her life to family farming in the Pleasantville community. Like so many in rural Iowa, Midge never met a stranger and was the first to come to the assistance of any neighbor in need. Midge and Benny were leaders in the 4-H program and the Marion County Cattlemen's Association.
Midge was a passionate supporter of the Pleasantville school system. Like her mother before her, Midge was the “town seamstress”. She donated countless hours to make, alter and repair band, dance and athletic uniforms. In later years, Midge was a dedicated fan of sports and gymnastics events played by her grandchildren in Carlisle.
For a lifetime of achievement, Midge was honored in 2001 as the Pleasantville Booster Club Fan of the Year and was an inaugural inductee into the Pleasantville Community Schools’ Hall of Fame. The Pleasantville Chamber of Commerce recognized Midge as Person of the Year in 2006, and honored her with their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
Midge has inspired generations of family members as well as her many lifelong friends. Those left to honor her memory include children and family raised as children, including Lynn and Kenny Horsman of Pleasantville; Charlotte Moore of Atlanta, Georgia; Jenifer and Randy Rowray of Des Moines; Jerry Hartz and Jennifer Vasiloff of Alexandria, Virginia; Sandy and Rich Oldaker of Milo; and Donna and Doyle Schrader of Lacona. Grandchildren include Dana and Todd Kirisits and Mike and Annie Reeves — all of Atlanta, Georgia; Jolene and Jerry Erdmann of Olathe, Kansas; Tom and Crystal Horsman of Knoxville; Valerie Wright of Pleasantville; Evelyn Hartz and Chris Stewart of Portland, Maine; Alicia Hartz of Boston, Massachusetts; and Ben and Avalyn Rowray, Nathan Rowray and Brooklyn Rowray — all of Des Moines. Great grandchildren include Ashton Horsman, Brayden Wright, Erin and Kate Kirisits, Tristan Douglas and Hadyn Reeves.
Midge was preceded in death by her husband Benny; her parents Lee and Ethel Knouse; sisters Irma Ellsworth and Fern Hartz; son-in-law Tom Moore; and nephew Roger Hartz — as well as loved in-laws and other relatives.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pleasantville Christian Church for a memorial that will be dedicated to Mildred Brooks.
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