Betty P. Brooks

Betty P. Brooks, 89, of Grand Island, NE passed away on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at CHI Health St. Francis.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM, Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. Burial will follow in the Chapman Cemetery. Visitation will be from Noon until the start of the services.

She was born on July 21, 1937 in Marysville, Kansas to Charles and Elsie (VanHoutan) Joseph. She grew up in Marysville and graduated from Marysville High School in 1956.

She was united in marriage to Paul Brooks Jr. on May 5, 1957 in Marysville, Kansas. After which the couple lived many places following Paul’s career in the Air Force. They lived in Tennessee, Newport News, Virginia, and then Japan for 18 months. Upon returning from Japan he was stationed in El Paso, TX, where the couple were blessed with their two children; William and Paula. He then was stationed in Topeka, KS, Guam, Altos, OK. Once Paul retired from the Air Force the couple made Chapman home. During that time Betty worked various jobs in retail. Most recently she worked at Sam's Club before her retirement in 2006.

She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and a member of the Chapman United Methodist Church. She enjoyed crafting, computer games, and playing games with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her son, William “Bill” (Sharon) Brooks; daughter, Paula Behring; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; siblings, Patricia (Gene) Merkel, Thelma (Larry) Blosser, and Phillip Joseph; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Edward Rodekohr, husband, and grandson Cody Harden.