Vera Rose Helling Brooks was born Dec. 22, 1923, at the family farm on Territorial Road, Town of Richmond, Walworth County, the daughter of Ernest and Amanda (Klug) Helling.
She was baptized as a child of God Jan. 13, 1924, at home by the Rev. Herbert C. Schumacher of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Milton. She was welcomed home by her Savior to heaven on Dec. 1, 2015.
Vera attended the rural Finch School grade school and graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1941. She received her two year teaching certificate from Whitewater Teachers College in 1943 and her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from there in 1953. She later earned credits toward a Master’s Degree from UW-Whitewater.
She taught in rural Walworth County schools for 9 ½ years where her duties included starting the fire and shoveling snow. From 1952 to 1955, Vera taught fourth grade at Barrie School in Fort Atkinson. She later taught fourth grade for 22 years at the Lakeview School where she supervised 16 student teachers and started the first computer classes. Her students will remember her for her love of Wisconsin.
Vera married Donald Brooks June 7, 1952, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Whitewater. Together, they farmed in the Hebron and Richmond areas where Vera assisted with the farm work including helping with the fieldwork.
Her church, Christus Lutheran Church, Richmond, was a very important part of Vera’s life. She was confirmed there on Oct. 3, 1937, taught Sunday School for 53 years, served on numerous committees, was a member of Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society, was church organist for 12 years, a member of the choir since the 1940s and helped construct many of the church banners.
While she was a teacher, Vera was on the organization committee for the WCLO School of the Air program for Rural and State Graded Schools, presenting several programs with her rural students on WCLO. She was Richmond 4-H Sewing Leader for 17 years and a photography leader. She enjoyed genealogy including writing histories of her family, the Richmond community and her church. She enjoyed wildlife, especially bird watching, attending Class of ’41 reunions and family reunions. Vera’s real joy came from helping to spread the Word of God through missions and evangelism.
Vera counted as her Special Blessings: her children, Dawn and Dale (Lisa) Brooks, grandchildren, Alec, Ethan (Molly) and Sarah Brooks; a brother, Floyd (Flora) Helling; a nephew, Steve (Aundie) Helling; a niece, Sharon (Mitch) Maves; along with nine Godchildren. Vera’s husband, Donald died on April 29, 1975, following a 12-year battle with cancer. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and her brother-in-law, Ralph (Dora) Brooks.
A visitation will take place from 9:30 until 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Christus Lutheran Church. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. Bruce Wietzke officiating. Burial will be in Richmond Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Christus Lutheran Church or WELS Kingdom Workers.
Henke-Clarson Funeral Home, Janesville, is assisting the family.
We take comfort in the words that our precious Lord God gives us in II Timothy 4: 7-8: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
