Helen Irene Brooks Jr.

Helen Irene Brooks Jr., age 87 of Moravia, passed away Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at Good Samaritan Hospice in Ottumwa.
Irene was born on June 3, 1938 in Appanoose County, Iowa, the daughter of Grant and Helen (Shull) Tadlock. She graduated from Moravia High School with the Class of 1956. She continued her education with two years of college. Irene and her son, Brian then moved out east, where she met the love of her life. She was united in marriage to William "Bill" Edward Brooks. She also gained three bonus children, Susan, Marty and Dale.
Throughout the years, Irene worked at various jobs. She was the Mayor of Moravia for six years. She was one of the first ones of the area to run a computer and was also an over the road truck driver with Bill. In her free time, Irene enjoyed being around dogs, her flowers and reading. She was very community minded, and was on every committee she could be. Irene attended the Moravia Church of the Nazarene, was a member of the Moravia Historical Society, Moravia Betterment, Rathbun Area Solid Waste Commission and a Trustee of the Albany Cemetery.
Left to cherish Irene's memory are her children, Brian Kaster, Susan Brooks and Marty Brooks; her grandchildren, Natalie Ashman, Kimberlie Hall, Martin Brooks, William Brooks, Kell Hoovler Jr., Christopher Hoovler, Jack Brooks and Nicholas Brooks; her siblings, Naomi (Rod) Hutt, Joe (Carol) Tadlock, Joanne Tadlock, and Carla Tadlock; as well as many great grandchildren and other extended family members and friends.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Grant and Helen Tadlock; her son, Dale Brooks; and her siblings, Basil Tadlock, Larry Tadlock, and Imogene (Carl) Tisue.
Per wishes, cremation has been accorded. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00AM, Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at the Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene in Moravia. Memorials have been established to either Furever Friends or Moravia Consumed Youth Ministries, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Brooks Family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.