Ethel Mae Brooks

Ethel Mae Brooks, 96, of Loveland passed away peacefully during the evening of September 9th, lovingly surrounded by family members and supported in prayer by others who longed to be there as well. Although suffering from failing vision and other effects of her age, Ethel was blessed never to have lost her mental acuity, and had continued to successfully solve daily word-scramble puzzles. She was also determined to remain as physically active as possible. Indeed, she did so until the very moment she suffered a massive stroke on the morning of September 8th. Sadly, she never regained consciousness. However, we know that she has now been joyfully reunited with so many of her loved ones gone before, whom she had been yearning to see once again.

Ethel Colebank was born May 3rd, 1924 to Noah and Lena Ramey Colebank on their farm in rural Buford, North Dakota, near Williston. She was the 5th child of 10, the youngest of their 3 daughters. She had many fond memories of growing up, especially those of living at the farm and all the good times with her large family.

Ethel attended the rural Round Prairie Township Grade School, which was a two-room school, 5 ½ miles from her parents’ farm. Ethel began high school in Trenton, North Dakota – then in Williston, North Dakota – then went to live with her sister Mabel in Montebello, California and graduated there.

In California, Ethel was introduced to the love of her life, Duane Brooks, by mutual friends. He had been in the Merchant Marines as well as the Army, was a weight-lifter and a millwright by trade, but could build or fix anything! They were married June 12, 1947 on the 20th floor of the Los Angeles City Hall, in the Judge’s Chambers. Ethel and Duane were blessed with two sons, Hobby and Hayner. Ethel was a devoted homemaker and mother, but she also worked for some time in manufacturing when Duane had broken his leg and it was financially necessary.

The couple lived in California for all their married life - in San Diego for 3 years, East Los Angeles for 8 years and Bellflower for 25 years. They cherished the bonds with both their immediate and extended family, especially loved going to family reunions, and had many lifelong friends. They enjoyed dancing, playing card and board games, fishing, boating and traveling all over the United States. Ethel was a talented crafter and seamstress, a wonderful cook and ALWAYS kept busy. Following Duane’s retirement, they moved to their former weekend getaway property in the high desert near Yucca Valley, where they lived until Duane’s death in 1998. Ethel then moved to Loveland, Colorado and lived with her son Hayner and his family as a vital and beloved member of the household until her passing.

We rejoice in her long and well-lived life, and were blessed to be a part of hers!

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, Noah and Lena Colebank; her sisters Mabel Wilkins and Pansy Vannest; her brothers James Colebank, Wilbur Colebank, Robert Colebank and Gene Colebank, and husband Duane Brooks.

She is survived by her brothers, Raymond Colebank of Montrose, Colorado, Kenneth (Barbara) Colebank of Nashville, Tennessee and Leslie (Mabel) Colebank of Williston, North Dakota; her sons, Hobby (Diana) Brooks of Boring, Oregon and Hayner (Mona) Brooks of Loveland, Colorado; her grandchildren, Boaz Brooks, JinJoo Nicks, Noah (Sharon) Brooks, all of the Boring, Oregon area as well as Hannah (Donal) Armstrong and Amanda (James) Monio, both of Loveland, Colorado; and her 10 great-grandchildren, all of the Boring, Oregon area; numerous nieces & nephews, as well as their children and grandchildren.