June Brooks

Gwendolyn June Brooks, 90, formerly of Kismet, KS passed away on Friday December 4, 2020 at Wheatridge Care Park in Liberal, KS. She was born on February 10, 1930 to Chester and Viola (Pinkston) Hockensmith at Radium, KS. June moved to Liberal, KS as a young girl. During High School she worked at the local five and dime store. She graduated Liberal High School in 1949 and married Alfred (Sam) Brooks on October 16, 1949 in Liberal, KS. They Settled in the Liberal area and Moscow area for a time where she helped on the farm and raised their six children. June and Sam settled in Kismet in 1970 where June lived until August 2019. June then moved into Wheatridge Care Park where she was called home by Jesus. June worked as a homemaker while her children were young and then drove the school bus for Kismet, KS for several years. She also worked at K-Mart for a time. She spent several years as one of the few volunteer Fire Women in Kismet and spent many years with the Kismet Town Criers. June was also a member of the Two Tired Motorcycle Club with her husband. She took exceptional care of her parents for years when the time came for them to need extra help and eventually they moved in with her. June was always first to just help out, without being asked. She always made sure her home was home for anyone needed shelter from a storm for a day or years. Several kids and grand-kids over the years, who needed a home or just a small life change for a bit came to live with Sam and June. They were always treated with love as their own children. Friends were always welcome to holiday gatherings. June welcomed everyone with open arms. Her many talents included tole painting on wood and fabric. Wonderfully talented seamstress (made many of her children's clothes and many of her own.) She at times made her own patterns from newspapers. She made wonderful denim quilts to keep her children warm and wrapped in love. She loved to reupholster furniture. She enjoyed wood working and flower gardening. Her children and grand children remember all to well what a wonderful cook she was. She was rather famous with family and her friends in Kismet for her chicken and noodles. When not busy with her hobbies she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She very much enjoyed her grandchildren. She rocked and sang many grandchildren to sleep over the years. She would often talk about how blessed she was in life with her family and friends. She was also a member of the Kismet United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed another favorite pastime of teasing her minister. She loved playing practical jokes (which often involved some very funny soft sculpture dolls) on her very good friends while she waited for the practical jokes to be returned. June very much enjoyed life! Some people even referred to her as "sassy". She was very loved by all and will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, all 4 siblings, 2 sons, Curtis and Jerry. 2 grandchildren Julie Ann Brooks and Jacob Gleason. Due to the current Covid19 spike within Seward County and the surrounding area, there will be no public viewing or services at the request of June's family to help protect our friends and loved ones throughout the community. A Private Family Only Service will be held on Thursday December 10, 2020 at 2:00 pm at the Miller Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Terry Mayhew, officiating, The service will be Live Streamed through the Miller Mortuary Face Book page. Burial will take place at Restlawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to the American Alzheimer's Association in care of Miller Mortuary PO Box 826 Liberal, KS 67905-0826. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of June Brooks please visit our Sympathy Store.