Mary L. Brooks, age 65, of Woonsocket, died Friday, June 28, 2013 at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls.
A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at the United Methodist Church in Woonsocket on Saturday, July 6, 2013 at 11 a.m. Burial will take place following the service in the Platte Cemetery. Pastor Rhonda Wellsandt-Zell will officiate.
Mary Louise Kogel was born to Leland J. “Buck” and Luella M. (Schnabel) Kogel on Feb. 16, 1948. She grew up on the family farm near Lane and graduated from Lane High School in 1966.
Because she was diagnosed with diabetes at the early age of eight years old, Mary had a lifelong desire to be a nurse and help other people. Following  her graduation from high school, she attended Presentation Heights School of Nursing for two years.
She interrupted her nurse’s training to get married and start her family. Mary married Bruce Craig Brooks on June 24, 1968 at Huron.
She later attended Mitchell Vo-Tech, receiving a degree as a medical laboratory technician in 1975. Mary returned to school again to complete her lifelong goal of becoming a nurse, and was the very first graduate of the first graduating class of the Huron College School of Nursing in 1983.
Mary provided nursing care for many patients over the years as a Registered Nurse at Huron Regional Medical Center.
Throughout her lifetime, Mary enjoyed a variety of activities. She and Bruce lovingly welcomed children into their home by serving as foster parents for abused children. Mary was a board member for the Beadle County Humane Society. She was a leader for the Woonsocket Helping Hands 4-H club and was active with the Woonsocket Lions & Lionesses, where her husband Bruce was the State President.
Her favorite activities were working in her yard and “tinkering” around the house.
She is survived by her children, Donna Mae (Alan) Linke, her twins, Tiffany Brooks and John (Elizabeth) Brooks, all of Woonsocket; seven grandchildren; two sisters, Marlena Kogel, Arcata, Calif., and Joanne Colman, Tucson, Ariz.; one brother, Bruce (Debra) Kogel, Woonsocket; one niece and five nephews.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bruce; and an infant son, Bruce.