CLEO IRENE (ANKROM) BROOKS, 91, of Burden, Kansas, passed away at home on February 23, 2014.

Cleo was born on February 19, 1923 to Dean and Myrtle (Cole) Ankrom in Cambridge, Kansas. She graduated from Cambridge High School in 1941. Cleo married Martin Brooks on October 2, 1943 and they lived in Delaware and South Carolina the next few years while Martin served in the Army Air Corp. After the war they returned to Burden where they lived on their farm for the rest of their lives. Cleo loved being a farm wife. She spent many hours tending her large garden and fruit trees, and cooking and canning the bounty. She enjoyed doing craft projects and sewing, especially for her grandchildren, and traveling and playing cards.

Cleo was very active in a variety of organizations and clubs, including the American Legion Auxiliaries of both Burden and Winfield, TOPS, N G Club, Grouse Creek HEU, Winfield Bowling League, Burden Women's Pitch Card Club, Joseph's Store House, Burden Senior Citizens and Cambridge Senior Citizens. Her greatest pleasures were being with her family and going to the many school, community and sporting activities of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by:
Her children: LeRoy and Linda Brooks of Burden;
Her grandchildren: Mike and Angie Brooks of Winfield; Angela Sue and Chris Werth of Kinsley, KS; Kathy Brooks and Kerri Frehse of Burden; Bryan Brooks of Norfolk, VA; and Brenna and Dan Talbot of Bailey, CO;
Her great grandchildren: Ryne, Jayde and Jarrett Brooks; Mason Dean; Liberty Brooks; Blaine and Destiney Talbot;
Her step great grandchildren: Drew and Adam Keller; Clarissa, Phillip and Mathew Werth; and Skylar, Kyle and MaKenna Frehse;
Her additional family members: Gene and Heike Brooks; Arthur Dale and Carmen Ankrom; Mary Ankrom; Dianna, Peggy and Norman Ankrom; and Larry and Shirley Shelton; and
Numerous cousins and dear friends.

Cleo was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Martin, her son, Wayne, and her brother and his wife, Ralph and Francis Ankrom.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. at the Burden United Methodist Church in Burden. Interment will follow at the Burden Cemetery. Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service on Wednesday evening from 4 to 8. The family will greet visitors from 5 to 7 that evening.

Memorials have been established in Cleo's name for the Burden Senior Citizens and Burden United Methodist Church. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.