Memorial
Phyllis Marguerite Brooks, 89, was a people person through and through. Whether she hosted her weekly Bible study, crochet club, writing club, or a monthly Canasta meeting —squeezing as many ladies into her daughter’s living room as could fit—Phyllis loved having friends over. One of her favorite events every year was the “Holiday Extravaganza” which she co-hosted with her daughter.
For years, Phyllis was the queen of two Red Hat societies and an active member of the Welcome Wagon. What Phyllis was especially known for, though, was her faith and love for Jesus, crocheting, and knit
ting.
If Phyllis met you once, she considered you a friend. She had several friendships spanning more than 65 years!
Friends and family alike coveted receiving one of Phyllis’ afghans, scarves, or hats. If you check your kitchen drawer, you might just find a potholder Phyllis crocheted for you.
Phyllis’ skills with the crochet hook and knitting needles have impacted lives around the world as she made beanies for the Navy Seals, dolls for orphans in Kenya, and welcome-home dolls for orphans from Haiti. Her generosity knew no boundaries.
Phyllis’ aptitude for precision served her well in life. At Collins Radio (later Rockwell Collins), where she worked for 33 years, Phyllis was the first woman quality assurance supervisor. She’s also the only woman we know who built her family’s first color television set from a mail-in catalog! In the early sixties, she worked on building the set after hours at her brother Richard (Dick) Harman’s home so her daughters would not mix up any of the parts.
The Harman family had lived in Cedar Rapids all their lives. Phyllis was the sixth of seven children. Art, Don, Bill, Beth, and George have all passed away. Richard still lives in Cedar Rapids.
Phyllis married Rex Brooks in 1951. They resided in Cedar Rapids, however, they lived in Omaha for short periods where Phyllis worked for Nile Kinnick Sr. at the Federal Land Bank. They were early members of Immanuel Baptist Church. In the late 1980s, Phyllis joined Community Baptist Church.
Phyllis had six daughters: Debbie Brooks of Walford, IA, Denice Moore of Pierre, SD, Dawn Brooks of Cedar Rapids, Dana Brooks (who preceded Phyllis in death in 2006), Delene Meyer (Joe) of Colorado Springs, CO, and Danette Brooks of Cedar Rapids.
You could not leave a conversation with Phyllis without her sharing something she was proud of about her daughters or her grandchildren.
Phyllis graduated from Roosevelt High School, and for many years, she arranged reunions for the Class of 1950. While she started out at Coe College, Phyllis paused her education to focus on her work and on raising her girls. She later went back to school after hours, graduating from Kirkwood in 1974 in International Trade.
Phyllis’ love of God, the arts, and people live on in her daughters, her 11 grandchildren—Jerry Furness, Heather Moore Graybill (Doug), Brandi Brooks, Brei Holmes (William), Ben Balvanz, Bryan Balvanz (Tracie), Joshua Moore, Jonathan Moore (Tatiana), Megan Smith, Sarah Meyer, Lauren Mellema (Brian), and 23 great-grandchildren. She also has one great-great-grandchild on the way. They will carry on one of Phyllis’ favorite traditions—singalongs around the baby grand piano.
Phyllis passed away peacefully at home with her daughters on October 1. Her deep love for Jesus sustained her till the very end. Even up to the last hours of her time this side of heaven, she was reciting Scripture and singing a chorus that was special to her: “Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul. Thank you, Lord, for making me whole. Thank you, Lord, for giving to me thy great salvation so rich and free!”
A visitation will be held on Tuesday October 5, 2021, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday October 6, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories by the Rev. Ed Gregory. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be sent to House of Hope in the name of the Dana Brooks Memorial.
A special thanks to her family practitioner, Michele Burnes, P.A. for caring for Phyllis for so many years.