THE COMPLETE INTERACTIVE

Robert Brooks

Obituary For Alexzine (Grenz) Brooks

Alexzine Lydine Brooks, 82, Minot, died Monday, Nov. 3, 2008, in a Great Falls, Mont., extended care center following a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

Alexzine was born May 5, 1926, in Napoleon, to Otto and Martha (Brenneise) Grenz. She was raised in Napoleon and graduated from Napoleon High School. She attended Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn., and was employed at Neighborhood House, a home for underprivileged children in St. Paul. She moved to Jamestown and was employed at the Anne Carlsen Center. In 1953, she continued her education at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, where she earned her degree in social work with a minor in special education. Also, she attended the Howard Rusk Institute of Medicine and Rehabilitation in New York City. She returned to the Anne Carlsen Center for Children as a social worker before moving to Minot in 1954 to accept a job as district supervisor in the Minot office of the State of North Dakota Vocational Rehabilitation.

Alexzine married Robert Brooks on Dec. 11, 1959, at Minot. They made their home near Burlington, where they owned and operated Brooks Ranch. She adjusted quickly and loved life on the ranch. In addition to being a wonderful wife and mother she used her social work degree through her involvement on the Board of Directors of the Minot Vocational Workshop and the Shut-In Ministry at Immanuel Baptist Church. She began struggling with Alzheimer's disease during the mid-1990s and was cared for in her home by her loving husband until June 2008, when she moved to Great Falls, where she resided at Benefis Extended Care Center.

Alexzine was an active member of Immanuel Baptist Church, where she served on the Board of Christian Education, served as a deaconess, blessed many of the elderly and shut-in members with her visits and was a member of the ladies organization. She served as president of the North Dakota Cattlewomen and established the "Taste of Minot," a fundraising activity that benefited the Minot High School music program.

Alexzine's faith was the cornerstone of her life. She found joy in serving others and shared the love of God with everyone around her. It was also very important to her to pass on her faith to her children and grandchildren. She was the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman, serving her husband and girls day in and day out. Most of all she loved the Lord and her life was a testimony for Him.

Obituary For Robert Brooks

Robert E. Brooks, 81, of Great Falls, who spent most of his life farming and ranching in Minot, N.D., died of complications from Lou Gehrig's disease Monday in Great Falls.
A celebration of his life is 11 a.m. today at Immanuel Baptist Church in Minot. Thomas Funeral Home of Minot is in charge of arrangements.
Bob was surrounded by his family when he died.

His family includes his daughters, Lisa (Troy) Lindquist of Great Falls, Candy (Duane Tofteland) Brooks of rural Minot, and Becky (Ron) Nelson of Great Falls; his brother, Loren (Janet) Brooks of Hardin, Mont.; and his four grandchildren, Kelsey, Brooks, Connor and Allie.
Bob was born Sept. 30, 1927, in a stone farmhouse near Glenburn, N.D., to James and Goldie Brooks. He graduated from Glenburn High School, where he excelled in basketball and played trombone in the school band. He also was a member of the Glenburn Baptist Church. With the support of their parents, Bob and his brother, Loren, purchased their first Hereford heifers in 1943, starting a lifelong commitment to the breed. From that small beginning, their registered Hereford herd expanded. They showed their cattle at livestock shows across the country, including the National Western Stock Show in Denver.
In 1950, with the cooperation of their parents, another ranch was purchased near Burlington.
On Dec. 11, 1958, Bob married Alexzine Grenz. They made their home on the Burlington ranch, where they raised their three girls.

Bob loved the ranch life, and enjoyed teaching his girls to
ride horse and work cattle. Brooks Ranch had its first production sale in 1958, and 55 sales followed. Some of these sales were listed in the Top 10 sales by the American Hereford Association. The Brooks brothers were among some of the first
breeders to begin performance testing on their herd. A second ranch was purchased near Hardin in 1975, which his brother and family operated. Bob continued to operate the Brooks Ranch near Glenburn, where he enjoyed farming and ranching with his daughter, Candy.

Bob was instrumental in getting his grandchildren interested in livestock, and enjoyed helping them select their 4-H steers and watching them show. He was a member of the North Dakota Stockmen's Association for 56 years, and was an active member of the North Dakota Hereford Association, where he served as director and president. He also served as a trustee in the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, and was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church.
Bob walked softly around his herd of cows. He would carry a baby calf on his saddle, coaxing a cow to come and find shelter in the barn. He was a true and honest cowboy, loved and respected by his family. His children and grandchildren loved to hear him sing and whistle his large repertoire of old songs.

Bob lovingly cared for his wife, Alexzine, for many years after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He stayed by her side as she battled the disease and cared for her at home until she passed away Nov. 3, 2008.

In addition to his wife, Bob was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials are suggested to the ALS Association, the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, or Peace Hospice.

Condolences may be posted online at www.gftribune.com/obituaries.

Published in Great Falls Tribune on Mar. 21, 2009

Alexzine's loving family includes: her husband of 49 years, Robert; daughters, Lisa (Troy) Lindquist of Great Falls, Candy Brooks (Duane Tofteland) of rural Minot and Becky (Ron) Nelson of Great Falls; and four grandchildren who were the love of her life, Kelsey, Brooks, Connor and Allie.

Alexzine was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of Alexzine's life: Will be on Monday, Nov. 10, 2008, at 11 a.m. in Immanuel Baptist Church, Minot.

Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot.