Elizabeth (Hahn) Brooks, age 95, of Colorado Springs, Colorado (formerly of Mapleton and Des Moines, Iowa) passed away on Friday, September 19, 2025, at the Bear Creek Senior Living of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., with a Visitation held one-hour prior from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa. Pastor Curt Copple will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery of Mapleton, Iowa.
Condolences may be sent online at www.armstrongfuneral.com.
Memorials in Elizabeth’s name can be made to either the Iowa State Fair Foundation at https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/ways-to-give or the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/
Elizabeth A. Brooks passed away September 19, 2025, at age 95. Born Elizabeth Anne Hahn on September 10, 1930, in Mapleton, Iowa, she was the sixth child of Herbert Max Hahn and Jenny Lucile (Hall) Hahn. Elizabeth grew up with four brothers and four sisters, and often said she “loved growing up in a mob”. Each of her siblings held a special place in her heart, and was spoken of often with love and admiration. She always enjoyed telling stories of her childhood years spent in small town or rural Iowa.
Elizabeth graduated as Valedictorian from Mapleton High School in 1948, where she not only excelled in academics, but was also a cheerleader, played on the girls’ basketball team, and even played the bass drum in the band. She continued her education at the University of Iowa. On August 16, 1952, she married the love of her life, Richard D. (Dick) Brooks and moved with him to Honolulu, Hawaii. After several more moves and the births of four children, she finished a Bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Iowa in 1963.
The bulk of Elizabeth’s career was spent at Meredith Publishing Co. in Des Moines, writing and editing copy for several publications, including Better Homes and Gardens. One of her tasks at this job was to convince writers that incorrect grammar was not acceptable as “my personal style”. She created a Style Book for the magazine to help streamline and standardize language usage.
Elizabeth never subscribed to BH&G, but she was a charter subscriber to MS. Magazine. She was a first wave feminist and a firm believer in civil rights.
Elizabeth loved great literature (Faulkner was one of her favorites), music (she favored Beethoven), and art (especially Van Gogh). She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, often traveling some distance to attend birthdays, graduations, weddings, and other special events. She didn’t care for card games but loved to play Scrabble with anyone who would take her on.
Although she lived her last 12 years in Colorado, Elizabeth always considered Iowa to be home. One of her greatest joys was going to the Iowa State Fair, where she volunteered for several years.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents and eight siblings; her husband Richard D. Brooks Sr.; and her son Richard D. Brooks Jr.
She is survived by three daughters: Myra Brooks (Marc Olson) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Paula (Michael) Pahl of Thornton, Colorado, and Lonna Brooks (Joel Winograd) of Rio, Wisconsin; 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, plus numerous nieces and nephews. We will miss her sharp wit and wisdom, and her fierce love for her family.
Previous Events
Visitation
18
Oct
210 South 5th Street
Mapleton, IA 51034
One-Hour Prior to the Service
Funeral Service
18
Oct
210 South 5th Street
Mapleton, IA 51034
Cemetery Details
Location
Mapleton, Iowa
