Carol Margaret Brooks

Carol Margaret Brooks, 81 Carol Margaret (Steenson) Brooks, 81, passed away peacefully at Bloomington Hospital on Tuesday, September 29, 2009. She was born to Carl Steenson and Pearl (Semar) Steenson, on July 29, 1928, in Topeka, Kansas. Her great grandparents imigrated from Denmark to Waterville, Kansas in the 1800's. Carol was always very proud of her Danish heritage, and enjoyed spending time with her many aunts, uncles, and cousins in the small farming communities surrounding Topeka. Carol graduated from Topeka High School in 1946, and attended Washburn University, where she met Donald Dean Brooks. Carol & Don were married in 1948 and had 4 children, Judy, Steve, Nancy, and Susan. They first lived in Topeka, after Don graduated from Washburn University, where they had their first two children Judy and Steve. They then moved to Denver, Colorado, while Don obtained his MBA at the University of Colorado, and then to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, when Don was hired by the Westinghouse Corporation as Business Manager. They were transferred to Bloomington, Indiana in 1957, where their last two children, Nancy and Susan, were born. Carol worked at Ellis Floral, the Indiana University Bookstore, and the Indiana University Office of the Bursar, where she retired in 1993, after 23 years of service. She was in charge of the IU Sponsored Student Program in her last position at the Bursars, and enjoyed meeting students from all over the world and assisting them during their time in Bloomington. Carol never met a stranger. She loved to laugh and tell jokes. No matter where she was planted, she formed lifelong friendships. The joys of her life were her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She loved to play cards (especially bridge), watch classic movies (especially Bette Davis), cooking, dancing, and everything Frank Sinatra. No matter when you called, Carol was always up for a game of cards. She taught all her children and grandchildren how to play cards and educated them on classic movies. Even last New Years Eve, her kids had to call her for advice on poker hands. Carol also belonged to many bridge clubs over the years, and had many dear friends from playing bridge. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Bernice Huff, and her former husband Don Brooks. She is survived by her four children, eight grandchildren, and six great granchildren. Daughter Judy Newberg of Greenfield (husband Mike and children Angela, Brad, Emily, and Lindsey); son Steve Brooks of Bloomington (wife Tammy and children Casey and Sam); daughter Nancy Brooks of Bloomington; and daughter Susan McCammon of Bloomington (husband Nick and children Sarah and Matthew). Funeral Services will be at Allen Funeral Home, 4155 S. Old State Road 37 Bloomington, IN on Monday, October 5, at 11:00 a.m., with burial at Valhalla Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be at Allen Funeral Home on Sunday, October 4, from 4:00-7:00 p.m., and one hour before the funeral service on Monday. Memorial Contributions can be made to Bloomington Hospital Hospice Care PO Box 1149, Bloomington, IN 47402-9988. The family would like to thank the Hospice Staff, Dr. Kelly, and all the excellent staff at Bloomington Hospital who helped Carol in her final days. Online condolences may be made at www.allenfuneralhome.org.

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Carol Margaret Brooks

July 29, 1928 - September 29, 2009