Marjorie Alice (Midge) Brooker

Marjorie Alice (Midge) Brooker, mother, wife, and long-time Duluth resident passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Proctor. Midge came to Duluth as the bride of Dr. Warren J. Brooker, and found a home here.

Her interests always included people – her beloved family and husband, as well as the children and elderly she helped as a teacher and volunteer.

Midge was born in Emmons, MN to Oscar and Adeline (Dakin) Berg on April 14, 1922. It was while visiting her grandparents as a teenager that she met her future husband Warren in Forest City, Iowa.

They both attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history and education. At the University, she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

She married Warren on June 18, 1944 while he was a medical student. They were happily married for 67 years.

After graduation from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, she taught high school in West Branch, IA while Warren finished medical school.

When she arrived in Duluth, she was a member of the Newcomers’ Club, and AAUW as well as serving as President of the Kappa Alpha Theta alumni group. She enjoyed volunteering with Meals on Wheels.

She was also a member for more than forty years of the Women’s Auxiliary to the St. Louis County Medical Society, and was president of the Auxilliary in 1978-1979. From 1960 to 1969, she was an active member of the Duluth Children’s Museum Board (at that time the A.M. Chisholm Museum). She enjoyed her membership in PEO, and was a member from 1964 to 2011.

Midge loved music and she and Warren enjoyed dancing throughout most of their lives. Although she was not athletic she encouraged her children to swim, skate and ski, all necessary to enjoying life in Duluth, where she and Warren settled as newlyweds and made a life together. In Duluth the couple made lasting friendships, which enriched both their long lives. Midge was a lifelong educator of her children, to whom she was a kind, encouraging and loving parent, nurturing their interests and creating a lively home where their friends were always welcome.

She was a supportive wife to her husband Warren, accompanying him and their three young children to the Azores in 1951, where son Steven was born. When Warren decided to return to medical school to advance his studies in urology and surgery, she cheerfully relocated the family to Minneapolis and substitute taught while he attended school, subsequently returning to Duluth.

Midge was a member of Pilgrim Congregational Church and a long time member of the choir.

She is preceded in death by her husband Warren and sister Barbara Dodds.

Midge is survived by her five children, Valerie Brooker (Melvin Duncan) of Santa Fe, NM, Kathleen Brooker (Timothy McDonald) of Tacoma, WA, Tim and (Carol) Brooker of Plains, MT, Steve Brooker of Duluth and Jay Brooker of Missoula, MT; her sister Roberta Daisley of Hinsdale, IL; and beloved grandsons Anders Brooker, son of Tim and Carol, of Missoula and Owen Brooker, son of Jay, of Bozeman.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 19, 2011 at Pilgrim Congregational Church 2310 East 4th St. with the Rev. Charlotte Frantz officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the PEO Foundation, 5121 London Road, Duluth 55804, Pilgrim Congregational Church, the UMD University for Seniors Development Fund or the charity of one’s choice. Please leave a memory of Marjorie or words of support for the family at www.bellbrothersjarvidowd.com arrangements by the Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home 722-5131.