Vaylard Arthur Brooks

Vaylard Arthur Brooks, 78, of Strawberry Point, Iowa, passed away
peacefully at Regional Medical Center on April 28, 2025. He was born on
November 26, 1946, in Strawberry Point, Iowa, the son of Albert and
Nellie Vione Brooks.
Vaylard graduated from Starmont High School in 1965 and proudly served
his country in the United States Army for the following four years. In
1971, he married the love of his life, Betty Lou Keppler, in his
hometown of Strawberry Point. Their union was blessed with four
children. Beginning in 1971, Vaylard dedicated himself to the sprinkler
fitting trade. Over the years, he contributed his skills to several
companies before retiring from Iowa Fire Protection in 2001. Alongside
his work as a fitter, Vaylard also cherished his life as a farmer on his
land outside of Strawberry Point.
Vaylard will be fondly remembered for his strong work ethic, his
infectious sense of humor, and the deep love he held for his family. He
found joy in the outdoors, hunting, searching for mushrooms, and back in
the day, riding his horses. In recent years, he traded horseback riding
for ATV riding. One of his greatest pleasures was spending time by his
pond, sharing the joy of fishing with his friends and family. He enjoyed
telling exaggerated tales and making people
laugh with his antics. Mornings were spent at Nadings enjoying coffee
and storytelling with his friends.
Given his deep appreciation for family, Vaylard cherished every moment
spent with them. He loved looking back and sharing stories from his
younger days and all the jobs he visited in the sprinkler trade. He had
an incredible memory of all the people he had met along the way. His
grandchildren were especially dear to him, and he delighted in spoiling
and playfully teasing them, always with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes.
Vaylard is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 54 years, Betty Lou;
his children, Michelle (Shane) Paris, Cole Brooks, Lisa (Mike)
Patterson, and Wade Brooks (Jennifer Otdoerfer); his adored
grandchildren, Dylan Paris (Addi), Karli (Bennett) Cole, Gage Paris
(Kelsey), Dillon Kuennen, Morgen Kuennen-Brooks (Jake), Realei Brooks,
Natalie Patterson (Logan), Cade Patterson (Arlie), Jack Patterson, and
Quinton (Keao) Brehme; and one great-grandchild on the way. He is also
survived by his sisters, Verdis Feller, Verlene Kelly, ValJean Berg,
Valetta Radloff, and Vikki Welsh (Jim Fierstine); a brother, Victor
Brooks; brothers-in-law, Dave (Mary) Keppler, Duane (Barb) Keppler,
Frank (Iona) Keppler, Mike Kepper, Joe Keppler, Tony (Gerarda) Keppler,
and Bob Schoulte; sisters-in-law, Ardelle Brooks, Grace Lamphere,
Caroline Otdoerfer, and Theresa (Randall) Laughead; and many nieces and
nephews.
Vaylard was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Harold and
Lucille Keppler; brothers, Vincent, Vance, and Verle (Buster); sister,
Veronica Jandik; brothers-in-law, Harley Radloff, John Feller, and Jerry
Lamphere; and sisters-in-law, Patricia Schoulte and Virginia Keppler.
A memorial fund has been established in Vaylard's honor.
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