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- July 12, 2006
Brooks, Francis N. Francis N. Brooks "Frank," Kaukauna, 89, died Tuesday July 11, 2006, at Cherry Meadows. Frank was born on June 5, 1917, in Town of Woodville, son of Adrian and Wilhelmina (Josephs) Brooks. He married Alice Thompson on March 3, 1945. They were married for 21 years when she preceded him in death on February 26, 1966. He married Irene (Lamers) Elrick on June 10, 1972, and they shared 25 years together until her death on December 2, 1997. Frank was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Kaukauna, and also a member of The American Legion Post 258 in Little Chute. Frank was drafted into the Army Air Corps in 1942 and served in the Aleutian Pacific Islands conflict in Alaska until his honorable discharge in 1946. He then worked in Civil Service from 1946-1951. After that, he moved back to Kaukauna with his wife and family and started a long career at Thilmany, where he worked as an electronics technician for 28 years, retiring October 29, 1979. Frank went to St. Francis School in Hollandtown but never finished 7th grade. He was a cheesemaker at White Clover Dairy and made American and Gjetost (goat cheese). He managed a 220-acre farm that today is still in the Brooks family. Frank was always learning everything he could, his thirst for knowledge was great. He took many courses throughout his life. At Valparaiso University he took classes in electronics and at Berkeley, CA, courses in radio and circuitry. Other trades that he enjoyed as hobbies include blacksmith, electrical electronics, woodworking, instrumentation, stained glass (leaded & foil), industrial maintenance, TV repairs, lapidary, bee keeping, hunting, camping and fishing. He was the 1st one in his family to drive the new '27 Model T at age 10. He also rode a bicycle and motorcycle forward and backwards. While serving in Alaska, Frank enjoyed the wilderness of the "Last Frontier." He skied Mt. McKinley, fished for salmon, hunted moose, Dall sheep and other game.
He is survived by two daughters and five sons: Susan (Paul) Datta, Greenville; Ronald (Sally Hess) Brooks, Thomas (Debbie) Brooks of Kaukauna; David (Sally) Brooks, Nancy (Scott) Kraft, Patrick (Cathy) Brooks of Menasha; Kenneth (MaryJo) Brooks, Milwaukee, 12 grandchildren, seven step grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and 15 step great-grandchildren. He is further survived by Irene's children; Pat Schumacher, Bob (Mary) Elrick, Don (Karen) Elrick, Lynn Elrick, Jeff (Connie) Elrick and their children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Adrian and Minnie Brooks, wives Alice and Irene, two brothers: Lawrence (Marcella) Brooks, Leo (Regina) Brooks, two sisters: Harriet (Ted) Lauer, Helen (Servanus) Schuh, 10 half brothers, two half sisters, infant daughter Mary, grandson Michael Brooks, daughter-in-law Shelley (Hueckman) Brooks, son-in-law Richard Kempen, brother-in-law Fr. Robert Thompson and other relatives.
Frank's Funeral Service will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 15, 2006, at ST. MARY of the ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 119 West Seventh Street, Kaukauna, with Fr. Jerry Pastors officiating. Friends will be received from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday July 14, 2006, at the Boettcher Family Funeral Home, 2401 Fieldcrest Dr., Kaukauna, and again on Saturday at Church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery, Kaukauna. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to retinitis pigmentosa research fund.
The family would like to thank Cherry Meadows and St. Paul Villa for all their help and support in taking care of Frank. It is greatly appreciated.
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1917 - 2006 (89 years)
