Marty Brooks

WICHITA, Kansas -- Martha Lou "Marty" Lewis Brooks, 84, was born in Cape Girardeau to William and Linda Lewis. Marty died Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021.

She attended Trinity Lutheran School and Central High School before earning an associate of arts degree in 1958 from St. John's College in Winfield, Kansas.

In 1961, she married M. Thomas Brooks, who was a student at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. While there, she taught at Ebenezer Lutheran School and again at Trinity Lutheran School in Santa Ana, California, during Thomas's vicarage or internship.

In Thomas's 36-year ministry in churches in Missouri and Kansas, Marty worked as a nurse's aide and in a pediatric clinic. Her primary concern, however, was always her family, her church and those she met. Her engaging personality helped her reach out to others, making a friend by being a friend.

When Thomas retired in 2000, the couple moved to Forsyth, Missouri, where they lived in a beautiful lakeside home. In 2018 they moved to Wichita to be closer to their children.

The couple was blessed with and is survived by three children, Mary Liz (Bruce) Brittain of Andover, Kansas; Paul (Tonya) of Archer City, Texas; and Matthew (Krista) of Hays, Kansas; eight grandchildren, Evan Brittain and Hanna (Jake) Huber, Jacey, Jahna and Tessa Brooks and Tommy, Nathaniel and Jayne Brooks; her sister Mary (Tom) Schaefer; niece, Jami (Nathan) Cuka; and nephew, Joel (Amy) Schaefer.

A loving spouse, mother and grandmother, Marty was a Sunday school teacher, choir member and strong supporter of her family and church. Her life was a fulfillment of Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1101 N. River Blvd., in Wichita.

Memorials may be made to Gloria Dei and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS 67202.

Services are in the care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.

Share tributes online at www.dlwichita.com.