Velda Brokens

VELDA MAXINE BROKENS

Monticello

Velda Maxine Brokens, 92, of Monticello, passed away Dec. 19, 2016. A memorial service celebrating Velda's life will be Tuesday, Dec. 27, at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Monticello, with the Rev. Ed Moreano officiating. Visitation will start at 9:30 a.m. at the church.

Velda was born in Scotch Grove on Aug. 23, 1924, the oldest of 12 children of Clarence and Martha

(Behnken) Rickels, and raised by her grandparents, Henry and Elise (Belling) Behnken Brockens. Velda was baptized and confirmed at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church and received her early education at Slough School No. 4 near Scotch Grove. She married Edward L. Brokens on Oct. 13, 1944, and lived near the base in Oklahoma City until Ed was overseas serving in the Army Air Corps. Following World War II, the couple made their home in Monticello, where she was a homemaker, and later owned the Mode O'Day store.

Velda is survived by her husband of 72 years; her sons, Gary (Lucinda) of Scotch Grove and Greg (Susan) of Iowa Falls; five grandchildren, Lindsay Carlson, Ashley (Brock) Ferry, Jonathan (Emily) Brokens, Becky (Doug) Tarr and Tony (Christy) Brokens; and 10 great- grandchildren.

Velda enjoyed travel, camping, gardening, dancing and was the ultimate cook. But her greatest joy and accomplishment was her family, to whom she passes a legacy of hard work, love and devotion.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to express their sympathies may direct memorials to St. Matthew Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be left at www.iowacremation.com under obituaries.