Erleen R. Brooks

Erleen R. Brooks age 95 of Detroit Lakes, MN died September 9, 2012 at Essentia Health-Oak Crossing in Detroit Lakes, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Erleen Ruth Brooks was born on August 27, 1917 in rural Bottineau, ND to Fred and Nellie Meyers Miller. She attended school in Gardina, ND, graduating from Gardina High School. She then attended the School of Forestry in Bottineau where she studied business. On December 31, 1938 she was united in marriage to Ray A. Brooks in Bottineau, ND. They made their home in Wing, ND and later in Devils Lake, ND. In 1953 they moved to Moorhead, MN, where Erleen worked for the JC Penny Co. as a Sales Clerk, a Department Manager, and also in the office. Erleen and Ray later opened Brooks Jewelry in Moorhead, which they owned and operated until retiring in 1975. After retiring they moved to Mesa, AZ. Erleen moved to Detroit Lakes in 2004, where she was a resident at Lincoln Park. She has been a resident at Oak Crossing for the past year. Erleen enjoyed traveling the United States with her husband Ray. She also enjoyed time spent with family and friends. She was an active member of Victory Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ. She is survived by three daughters, Evonne (Robert) Hanson, of Waterloo, WI; Barbara (Jim Emerson) Kindlund, of Yuma, AZ; and Donna Miller, of Detroit Lakes, MN; six grandchildren, Katie (John) McGinnis, of Brookfield, WI; Eric (Ellie) Hanson, of Dalton, GA; Leif (Adria) Hanson, of Chicago, IL; Lisa (Omar) Reed, of Everson, WA; Wayne (Pam) Miller, of Detroit Lakes, MN; and Cheri (Wayne) Willette, of Detroit Lakes, MN; eight great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; one sister, Evelyn Due, of McCluskey, ND; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Ray (1994); her parents; and two brothers, Harold and Wilber Miller.