Ida Brooks

Ida "Wimpy" Wayne Brooks was known as a stubborn, kind, loving, warm, outspoken, emotionally strong, giving, and honest woman. A comedian at heart, she would stop at nothing to make a person laugh, even if it meant she was the brunt of the joke.

1938 was a year of building tensions throughout the world. As Europe watched in fear, Hitler marched into Austria and proclaimed its political and geographical union with Germany. Meanwhile, the Holocaust was just beginning and many Jews in Germany found themselves without jobs or homes. Oblivious to the terror that was occurring an ocean away, for George and Augie Bea (Mitchell) Marion of Courtland, Alabama, life was much simpler. It was in that historic year that the couple welcomed their third child, Ida, into their home on April 11.

Growing up in a home with seven children, Ida was never without playmates. Though she was close to her entire family, she and her second sister Edna, who was affectionately known as "Tinsey," remained best friends their entire life until Edna passed away. As a child, Ida was a spitfire. While living in Courtland, Ida was fortunate in having her cousins live next door, and she was the apple of their eye. It was her cousins that would give her the nickname "Wimpy" due to her lifelong love of hamburgers. Together the kids would play around the local creek and throughout the town. Though she was very active, her parents always saw to it that she made time for church on Sunday. A family strong in values, the Marions faithfully attended Courtland United Methodist Church while in Alabama. In order to support the large family George owned a General Store in Courtland, while Augie worked in the school cafeteria. In the 1950s the family moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan with the promise of finding work in the harvest fields. The original plan was for the family to work and earn some money, and then return home. However, the Marion family soon fell in love with West Michigan and decided to stay. Ida, however, would always remember her southern roots. Alabama remained her favorite spot on earth, and she always dreamed of retiring in her home state. Soon after the family moved to Michigan, George obtained a job as a security guard at Bryant Paper and Augie went to work at the Kalamazoo State Hospital. With both parents working, Ida had many responsibilities around the house, but she still made her education a priority. She was a very good student, and at a time when many young women dropped out of school after the eighth grade, Ida continued her education and eventually graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School.

As a young woman, Ida earned money by working in the Kalamazoo area primarily as a waitress in several restaurants and bars. One winter's day in January '58, while working at Ham's on the Square she met a young man named Lawrence Brooks. He noticed Ida immediately, because she was quite attractive. Though not a "flashy" woman, Ida always looked nice, and throughout her life she would remain particular about her appearance. Soon after meeting the couple decided to "tag along" on a date with Edna who happened to be dating Larry's best friend, Perrine Gilbert. After a three-year courtship, the lovebirds wed on July 7, 1961 in a cozy chapel in Angola, Indiana during small family ceremony. Like many young couples, Ida and Larry started off quite poor with no car and very little spending money. In order to make ends meet, Larry found a job as a letter carrier for the Post office, while Ida continued her work as a waitress. Eventually she followed in her mother's footsteps and took a job at the Kalamazoo State Hospital where she worked primarily as a Ward Clerk, a switchboard operator, and in administrative support work. Soon the Brooks family grew, and their first child was born in 1961 with babies following in 62, 64, 65, and 1970. Although it was difficult, Ida worked hard but managed to balance her job with her home life, and always made sure her kids were taken care of. Throughout her life, one of Ida's favorite activities was cooking for her family. She was an amazing chef and excelled in southern home style cooking. As her children grew, she looked forward to the holidays because it meant that she could cook a big feast. Despite her many culinary talents, she still enjoyed hamburgers best, and every Saturday night she would prepare a 1 lb burger, which she cherished.

It is not surprising that she enjoyed such a traditional meal; Ida was a woman who found pleasure in the simple things in life. A true music fan, she enjoyed country music, but also listened to the 50's and 60's classics, and the Bee Gees were one of her favorite groups. When she wasn't cooking or working, Ida stayed active by dancing, roller-skating, and bowling. Later when she acquired Internet service, she enjoyed chatting online or on the phone, and she liked to cheer along with the Red Wings Hockey Club. Sometimes though, she just liked to sit and relax while crocheting and listening to music. One of her favorite activities, however, was spending time at her home in Sandy Pines near Hopkins where she would enjoy many summer days and nights with her grandchildren who now range in age from 10 months to 19 years old. She took great pleasure in spoiling her grandkids with snacks, pizza, and Pepsi. It is no wonder she and her grandkids were so close.

Ida remained active until she became quite ill in the past couple years of her life. Suffering from complications associated with heart disease, which led to other serious problems, she was hospitalized for the past several weeks of her life until she passed away on June 29, 2004 at Rose Arbor Hospice. To learn more about Ida, view her Life Story film, visit with her family and friends on Thursday from 6:00-8:00 PM and Friday from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 PM at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, Stadium Drive, West of US-131, 375-2900, where a Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday at 11:00 AM. Interment Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park. On July 7, 1961 Ida was united in marriage with Lawrence Brooks, who survives. She was preceded in death by her sister, Edna Gilbert; and brother, Phillip Houston Marion. Also surviving are five children and their spouses: Larry Jr., Raymond and Neng, Martha, Gerald, Ronni and Bryan; seven grandchildren; two sisters: Bobby Faye (Scott) Bronson of Kalamazoo, and Phyllis L. (Danny) Ramirez of Lake Worth, FL; two brothers: George E. (Brenda) Marion, Jr. of Moulton, AL, and Robert M. (Lima) Marion of Tacoma, WA; nieces and nephews. Please visit Ida’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read her life story, archive a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to National Kidney Foundation or the American Heart Association.

Although Ida accomplished many things throughout her life, she remained proudest of her children and grandchildren. A devoted mother and grandmother, she attended as many of their school functions as possible. A loving woman she saved all of the things her grandkids made her and displayed the items proudly.