Darlene Miriam Brooks, 90, died unexpectedly on May 13, 2026, in a car accident driving to her social event of the day.

Darlene was born in Stephenson County, Illinois on August 31, 1935, to Webster and Hermina Drake and baptized at Baileyville Reformed Church in 1953. She graduated from Forreston High School as Salutatorian in 1953 and Deaconess Hospital in Freeport as a Nurse in 1956. She graduated as Salutatorian from Forreston High School in 1953 and from Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in 1956. At the time, one could not be married while attending nursing training. Defying the clock, she graduated on September 7 and married her high school sweetheart, Lester Brooks, the very next day, September 8.

After Lester was drafted into the Army, the couple moved to Hawaii during his service. They later returned to rural Forreston to settle on the Brooks family farm. Darlene managed the farm books, maintained a large family garden, raised their growing family, and worked as a dedicated nurse. She served alongside Dr. Hodes and Dr. Martinez in Forreston and later provided compassionate in-home care for Rosie Moore.

She was a phenomenal cook who loved to entertain, famous for dishes that prompted the co-publishing of two editions of a family cookbook. Her children, grandchildren, and 'greats' knew they could always find a fresh batch of her oatmeal chocolate chip cookies waiting to be “sneaked” from Great-Grandma’s kitchen.

Darlene was proud to be a nurse (proudly displaying her Nursing cap and gown), of the family farm, of her husband’s achievements, the achievements of her three sons, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren (referred to as her “greats”) and the restored cabin where Lester was born.

Darlene and her family were deeply involved in their church. At the time of her death, she was a member of First United Methodist Church of Forreston, where she served with United Women in Faith, as a Sunday School teacher, financial secretary, coffee bar host, and in many other roles. Darlene also served as precinct committee woman for Brookville Township for many years and enjoyed a good, civil political debate.

She fought, and was winning, a courageous battle with lung cancer and lymphoma. The family is grateful for her care at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Dr. Cheryl Czerlanis, the oncology team, and the many nurses who cared for her.

She happily celebrated her 90th birthday last summer with over 150 of her closest family and friends. She loved her Lord, family and friends. She exuded that love to everyone she met, where new neighbors and Church members often became friends.

Darlene is survived by her three sons: Joel Lester Brooks, Timothy “Tim” Webster (Erixana) Brooks of Madison, Indiana, and Thomas “Tom” James (Joan) Brooks of Forreston. She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Koel (Maggie) Brooks of Forreston, and their children Allie, Ava, and Jack; Sofie Brooks of Bettendorf, Iowa, and her son Robert “Robby”; Jorden (Ben) Sasscer; Duncan (Tristan) Brooks of Louisville, Kentucky, and their children Ezekiel, Azaiah, and Aria; Araminta (Jed) Tuttle of Lafayette, Indiana, and their children Annilee and Cecily; and Jacob Brooks of Madison, Indiana.

Further survived by her siblings and extended family: her sister, Ethel (Norman) Osterloo; her brother, Donald Drake; sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen (Malcom) Davis and Katherine Jacob; brother-in-law, Phillip (Joanne) Brooks ; and her beloved cat, Smokey Joe.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband Lester; parents; brother, Duane (Virginia); sister-in-law, Sandra Drake; and sister, JoAnn (Bob) Conkey.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 30, 2026 at the First United Methodist Church in Forreston, Illinois. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home, Forreston, Illinois. Burial will be at Brookville Lutheran Cemetery in rural Lanark, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Forreston United Methodist Church and the UW–Madison Carbone Cancer Center.

Darlene’s legacy of love, service, and faith will live on in all who knew her.