Gwendolyn "Gwen" Kay Brooks

On Tuesday, February 21, 2023, Gwendolyn "Gwen" Kay Brooks departed this earth from complications of cancer at the home she shared with her son David in Waukee, Iowa. She was 79 years old. A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Waukee Community Church in Waukee, Iowa. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens in Des Moines.

Gwen is survived by her two sons and their families: Marcus (Shannon) Brooks of Orlando, Florida, and David (Clorrisa) Brooks of Waukee; and eight dear grandchildren: Nicolas (Natalie), Kaelyn, Anna Mae, Benjamin, Olivia, Malachi, Charles and Christian as well as her brother Wendell Baechler of Orlando, Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles “Chuck” Brooks III, as well as her parents.

Gwen was born on May 18, 1943, in Clermont, Iowa, the second child of Anna Mae (Haas) Baechler and Alfred Benjamin Baechler. A fighter from her first day on earth, Gwen entered this world seven weeks early and was so tiny that her first bed was comprised of a small shoe box. She married Charles Carl Brooks III (Chuck) on Aug 5, 1967 and later welcomed two sons: Marcus and David into the world.

Gwen graduated from Valley High School, Elgin, Iowa in 1961 and from Americana School of Beauty of Des Moines in 1962 with a degree in Cosmetology. She was employed by Dorian’s Beauty Salon of Des Moines from 1963 until 1970 before the birth of her children. Yet, she couldn’t stay away from the hair clippers. She resumed working as a hairstylist for Di’s Hairport, Des Moines, from 1982 until her retirement in 2005.

Gwen cherished God, was faithful in prayer, and found genuine joy in serving others. She was an amazingly faithful wife, mom and loyal friend. Gwen enjoyed baking and spending time with her grandchildren. Her house ALWAYS smelled like her famous chocolate chip cookies. Oddly enough, she found joy in doing laundry, which was greatly appreciated by her children and grandchildren. She faithfully taught Sunday School and served in youth ministry at church throughout her entire adult life. For many years she was an active member of Westchester Evangelical Free Church and then Waukee Community Church, where David, her son, serves as the Lead Pastor. And in the midst of creating these beautiful memories, she was persevering diligently through five separate cancers, until the last one took her home. A fighter until the end.

Memorial contributions may be made to Waukee Community Church or The Jesus Film Project.