Beverly Joan Brooks, daughter of Herbert and Pearl (Ebert) Kemper, was born on July 21, 1931 in the Locust Grove Township, Fremont County, Iowa and passed away June 9, 2008 in Hamburg, Iowa at the age of 76.
Joan grew up in the Locust Grove and Northboro communities, attending the Lone Willow country school and graduating from Northboro High School. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church of Westboro, Missouri.
On December 15, 1949, Joan was united in marriage with Robert Anderson at the home of her parents and to this union two sons were born, Terry and Gary. They lived on a farm near Northboro until Robert's passing away and at that time she moved to Shenandoah, Iowa with her sons and worked at May's Seed Co. for nine years. Joan had also driven a school bus at one time.
On January 2, 1982, Joan was united in marriage to Harold Brooks of rural Farragut, Iowa. They lived and farmed near Fisher Township south of Farragut. They were married 12 1/2 years. After Harold's death, she continued to live on the farm until December 2006, when she moved to Holmes Apartments on Center Street in Shenandoah
Joan was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church where she served on the church Altar Guild along with other church committees. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #88 of Shenandoah and was a Shenandoah Hospital Auxiliary volunteer and previously a member of the Twin Nights Chapter of Eastern Star and Porter's Lake Lutheran Center. She volunteered at the Shenandoah Blood Bank and was a member of the Centennial Club.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband Robert who passed away November 7, 1972; husband Harold Brooks who passed away July 29, 1994. Joan is survived by her two sons Terry Anderson and wife Kathy of Coin, Iowa and Gary Anderson and wife Joanna of Shenandoah; grandchildren Robert and wife Bridget Anderson, Jay and wife Julie Anderson and Valerie Anderson and significant other Tim Myers; six great grandchildren, Paige Schebaum, Brayden Anderson, Brooklyn Myers, Keegan Anderson, Rhett Brooks and Peyton Collum; step children, Joyce and husband Larry Supernaw of Farragut, Bruce Brooks and wife Kathy of Farragut and Chuck Brooks and wife Claudia of Farragut; step grandchildren, Lance Brooks and wife Shaharra of Sorrento, LA, Kristy and husband Britton Collum of Edmond, OK, Amy and husband Levi London of Norman, OK, Curtis Brooks and fianc Leslie Sandahl of Farragut, IA, Craig Brooks and fianc Lesley Broyles of Farragut, IA; brother, Dale Kemper and wife Darlene of Hamburg, IA; a number of nieces and nephews and friends.
Funeral services were held at St. John's Lutheran Church of Westboro, Missouri on Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. Words of comfort were given by Pastor Richard Pearson. Maralee Prather and Bev Klepinger attended the memory register. Glenn and Barb Rolf cared for flowers. "Here I Am Lord" was sang by Darla Peregrin and Rawn Weston. Other musical selections included "Amazing Grace", "Angels Among Us", "Midnight Cry" and "Supper Time". Carol Sunderman was the organist. Ushers for the service were Don and Kathy Laumann. Casket bearers were Robert Anderson, Jay Anderson, Curtis Brooks, Craig Brooks, Kirk Kemper and Derrick Kemper. Interment was at St. John's Cemetery in Westboro, Missori. Memorials are being directed to the St. John's Lutheran Church at Westboro or to the Farragut United Methodist Church in Joan's name. Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.hackettlivingston.com .