Gerald “Brooksie” Eugene Brooks, 76, of Volga, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at MercyOne Hospital in Elkader.

He was born Feb. 11, 1950, at home—32635 St. Sebald Road, Strawberry Point—to Guy and Ruth (Maser) Brooks.

Gerald began his schooling at Volga Consolidated School from 1955-1961, finishing high school at Central Community, Elkader in 1968.

Over the years, he had several occupations. As a teen, he hauled milk in cans for the local creamery and worked as a mover for the Whittenbaughs in Wadena. He started working for Yoder Feeds, Strawberry Point, in the fall of 1969, serving as Daffin feed mill operator, warehouse worker, truck driver, assistant manager and manager. In his spare time, he farmed extensively, worked as a bouncer for Skyline Ballroom in Strawberry Point and was a part-time Volga City police officer, drove as an independent livestock hauler and worked as apart-time farmhand.

Gerald never married.

Gerald lived in and around Volga most of his life, except for a six-year stint in Arlington after the great Volga flood of 1999.

Within the community, Gerald served as a member of the Strawberry Point Rope Pullers, Volga Fire Department for over 30 years (serving as treasurer for 21 years) and the Clayton County Fair Board for many years. In addition, he supported Pheasants Forever.

Gerald was a lifetime member of Arlington Church of Christ, where he was baptized in 1963 by Pastor Walter Harper.

A special family memory was the whirlwind train trip to his sister’s Chicago wedding in June 1964. Traveling by Zephyr from Prairie du Chien, Wis., the 900-mile trip, including the wedding, was accomplished in less than 24 hours, getting the family home in time for his father, Guy, to milk the cows and make hay the next morning.

“Brooksie” (or “Spanky”) will be remembered as a “Big Man with a Big Heart.” He enjoyed supporting his community and was a frequent bidder at benefits, auctions, church auctions, fire department fundraisers and quilt auctions. Over the years, some of his quilts were donated to the residents of Bremwood Campus in Waverly. After his retirement, he thoroughly enjoyed the seasonal Amish produce auctions and afterward making “deliveries” of the fresh produce. He also busied himself tending to his summer potted flowers at his home and at the church. Another hobby he cultivated later in life was coin collecting. The chance to attend a coin auction to trade coins was rarely missed. And, in case he needed something more to keep him busy, he had a variety of “office” locations in the neighboring communities where he honed his card playing skills, caught up on all the area’s comings and goings, shared opinions on the day’s topics and dabbled in the occasional “grief giving” to “get a rise out of” seasoned victims and unsuspecting rookies alike.

Survivors include sister-in-law, Bev Brooks, of Cedar Rapids; nephews, Gary Linden Brooks Jr. of Cedar Rapids, Brad Joseph Brooks of Ely, Eric Morrison of Volga, Scott Morrison of Phoenix, Ariz., and Kevin (Tiffany) Morrison of Lake Zurich, Ill.; and niece, Bobbie Gail Brooks of Cedar Rapids. 

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Ruth; brother, Gary; sister, Yvonne; and brother-in-law, Larry.

Funeral services were held May 13, at the Arlington Church of Christ in Arlington, with Pastor Scott Hall officiating. Inurnment followed at Hillcrest Cemetery in Volga.