Helen E. Brooks

Helen married Edward A. Brooks of Stronghurst, IL on November 18, 1956, and they were just shy of celebrating their 67th wedding anniversary. They met while attending Camaraderie, a young adult class at First United Methodist Church (Springfield First). Helen was a devoted member for approximately 70 years - which led to marriage and becoming a member of the IBT (In-Between) Sunday School class, central to her Christian, social and church life. Helen, Ed and their children, Todd and Jean, were involved in many church activities.

She graduated from Springfield High School, attended Illinois College and graduated from Northwestern University. Helen earned a degree in English/Speech which led to her teaching at Springfield High School. She left teaching to become a homemaker and raise her two children. Helen was a devoted mother and grandmother, believing parenting to be her most important role in life.

Helen was proud to live in Springfield and made full use of its theatre and arts events and programs: Theatre Guild, Muni Opera, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Hoogland Center, Springfield Municipal Band summer concerts, Illinois State Museum and Art Association. For 22 years, Helen and Ed volunteered as floor managers for the University of Illinois Springfield Sangamon Auditorium. They also volunteered frequently for Springfield First Night. A yearly highlight was volunteering with Ed at the Illinois State Fair at the Illinois State Museum booth.

Helen enjoyed entertaining and hosted pinochle and bridge clubs, New Year’s Eve parties and after theatre desserts. Her family has fond memories of July 4th parties on the three-season porch and fireworks in the backyard. She made many trips to Champaign-Urbana to cheer on the Fighting Illini and attend U of I events with Ed.

She was very active in the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, Women’s Auxiliary Capital Chapter, Kappa Delta Alumni, PEO Chapter LR, and welcomed PEO fundraising bed and breakfast guests in to her home for 33 years.

She enjoyed reading, researching, meeting new people and preparing presentations for community groups. Helen was a teacher through and through.

Ed gave Helen the travel bug. She was fortunate to experience a vast number of trips, international and domestic. Two celebrations were family vacations to Disneyworld for their 45th Wedding Anniversary and an Alaska trip for their 50th.

What a WONDERFUL Life!

Helen was preceded in death by her parents Elmer Otto Sellers, Clara Jenness (Bash) Sellers and baby brother Eugene. Surviving family members are her loving husband Ed of Springfield; two children Todd (Jeanette) Brooks of The Woodlands, TX; and Jean (Gary) Herzberg of Waunakee, WI; grandchildren, Tara Brooks of London, UK; Ryan (Kaitlyn) Brooks of Atlanta, GA; Mark Herzberg of Boston, MA; and Lisa Herzberg of Milwaukee, WI; sister Mildred “Millie,” (Dave) Logan of Kalispell, MT; two nieces Kara Logan of Renton, WA; and Kim (Rob) Hansen of Winlock, WA.

The Brooks family would like to give a special thanks to the dedicated staff at Concordia Village Lutheran Senior Services for providing a caring environment for Helen. Additionally, thank you to the hospice staff of Elara Caring.

Per Helen’s request, the family held a private, graveside service. Memorial contributions may be made to the building fund at First United Methodist Church 2941 S. Koke Mill Road, Springfield, IL 62711. Condolences and memories may be shared with her family at Family of Helen Brooks, C/O Todd Brooks, 22 Witherbee Place, Tomball, TX 77375-4862.