A visitation will be held Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 4 to 7 pm at the Runge Mortuary and Crematory. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 10am at the mortuary. A private family burial will follow. Brooks will be laid to rest at the Blue Grass Cemetery, Blue Grass Iowa.
Brooks was born on April 21, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa, to Cj and Caitlyn (Griem) Downing. From the moment Brooks was born, his parents knew he was special and would make an impact. He made the bad days good, and you could always count on him to make you laugh. Even after he was diagnosed, he never lost his infectious giggle, his curiosity to try new things, or his enjoyment in teasing those who love him. He changed the hearts of everyone who was blessed to know him. He made us all happier, he made us all stronger, he made us all better. To love him and to be loved by him is one of life’s greatest blessings. He will continue to be an inspiration and without a doubt, a hero to many.
For the short amount of time he was on this earth, he enjoyed everything from looking at cattle to going to the fire station to visit his dad. He was curious about everything and loved going on tractor rides, wrestling his brother, checking trail cameras for deer, camping and being outside. His most favorite thing of all though, was just being with those who love him.
Those left to cherish his memory include his parents, Cj and Caitlyn; little brother, Brayden Downing; grandparents, Jamie and Jennifer Griem, Dave and Beth Downing, and Tyler and Kim Donohoe; uncles, Zach (Emily) Downing, Noah Downing, and Tobey Griem; aunts, Taylor (Brett) Hansen, Paige Griem, Sam (Jason) Battin, and Alexandra(Grant) Dishinger; and many extended family members.
Brooks was preceded in death by his great grandpa, Leon “Bud” Tobey; great uncle, Les Proctor; and an honorary uncle, Kyle Schwarz.
Memorials may be made to The Millie Moo Foundation at www.themilliemoofoundation.org/donate
