Catherine Eleanor Brooks

KENT, Wash. - Catherine Eleanor Brooks died on June 6, 2003, in Kent. She was born on Aug. 6, 1908, in Plainfield, N.J., to Christian and Margaret Jensen. After the death of her father, her mother married Henry Frahm, who raised her girls. The family moved to Montana, homesteading north of Custer in 1914. She graduated from Custer High School in 1927. She received her teaching certificate from Eastern Montana Normal School. She taught in many one-room schools.
She married the love of her life, Joseph Brooks, on June 25, 1931. They were married 45 years. She and Joe operated the Custer Hotel and the Trail Cafe in Custer and the Green Hut Cafe in Billings. She lived in Billings for 56 years on Harvard Ave. Her home was the first house completed in the college subdivision.
She was a charter and golden member of Jutenheim Chapter of Sons of Norway in Billings.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her stepfather, Henry Frahm; her husband, Joe Brooks; her sisters, Mary and Lillian Jensen, Minnie Jepsen; and her brother, Harry Frahm. Surviving are her children, Jo Ann Willis, Missoula, Mont., Robert (Judy) Brooks, Kent, and Alyce (Ted) Fisher, Helena, Mont.; her grandchildren, Loren (Kim) Willis, Barbara Willis, Robin (Charles) Seeley, Steve (Lisa) Brooks, Joe Fisher, Dan Fisher, Emily (B.J.) Cooper and nine great-grandchildren.
Services were held in Kent. There will be a memorial service in Billings in August. Those wishing to make donations may make them to Special K Ranch, PO Box 479, Columbus, MT 59019.