Diane Brooks

Diane Renee (Almos) Brooks, age 76, finished her battle with cancer and passed away peacefully on April 1, 2025.

      She was born Jan. 19, 1949 in Sisseton, SD to Myrtle (Bakke) Almos and Edwin Almos. The family traveled for several years for Ed's work on road construction, then settled in Aberdeen, SD for 10 years where Diane attended elementary school through the 7th grade. She enjoyed being near the Almos & Bakke cousins in Aberdeen.

      In 1962, Diane and family moved to Buffalo Lake about 5 miles East of Eden, SD. Diane and her younger brother, Randy, attended a one-room country school. After one year at the country school (8th grade), Diane attended high school in Sisseton, SD where she was Vice President of her senior class and the Homecoming Princess, then graduated in 1967.

      Next was 2 years at the National College of Business in Rapid City, SD, where she earned an Associate Degree in Accounting.

      Diane married Wesley Jay Brooks on Dec. 27th, 1969 in Sisseton, SD. The couple moved to Minneapolis in May 1970 where Wes graduated from North Central Bible College 2 years later.

      The couple pastored in Brookings, SD; Eden Prairie, MN; St. Cloud, MN; and St. Louis Park, MN. Two sons were born to them in Brookings, SD: Jason in 1972 and Justin in 1975.

      After 30 years in pastoral ministry, they retired in 2014 and built a home on Leech Lake in Northern Minnesota. Diane loved the beauty of the area, fishing with her grandchildren, and the good friends she made there.

          Diane balanced the demands of family life while faithfully working in the church and holding different accounting jobs through the years. Her greatest joy came from seeing her sons grow into good Christian men who loved family times at their lake home. She loved to cook delightful food for her ever-growing family, much of which she grew herself in her prosperous gardens over the years. She made their lake home a place filled with love, laughter, and countless memories.

          Diane's unwavering love for Jesus was apparent to all who knew her. Jesus was the undisputed center of her life. Her faith had an impact on every part of her life. She read the Bible through each year for as many years as her family can remember.

      Starting in 2019, Diane had some eye and heart failure issues and then developed endometrial cancer a couple years later. She was treated for all of them at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

      Diane is survived by her husband Wes of 55 years; son Jason & wife Susan and grandkids Grant and Elise and great-grandson Calvin of Shoreview, MN; son Justin & wife Erin and grandkids William and Ivy of Prior Lake, MN; granddaughter Julianna & husband Curtis of Lakeville, MN; Diane's brother Randy Almos of Eden, SD; Wes' siblings Larry & wife Terry Brooks of Seattle, WA; Glen Brooks of Victoria, MN; Jack & wife Angie Brooks of Fergus Falls, MN; Cleon Brooks of Sisseton, SD; Gloria & husband Larry Lundstrom of Nashville, TN; Jerry & wife Sherry of Milwaukee, WI; Dale Brooks & partner Teresa of Sisseton, SD; Bill Brooks & partner Marita of Sisseton, SD; Rick Brooks of Sisseton, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

      A visitation will be held Saturday, April 26th, 2025 at noon, with a Celebration of Life service to follow at 1pm at Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Walker, MN. Luncheon to follow the service.