Donald Don Brooker – Monroe Times

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Donald Don Brooker 94, passed away July 22, 2023 at SSM Hospice Home in Monroe surrounded by his family. He was born on December 1, 1928 in Sterling, Illinois to Clarence and Augusta (Schmidt) Brooker. He grew up in the Nora, Ill. area. and worked hard as a young man. At age 14 he hauled milk from the farms to the factory lifting heavy cans. He later became a cheese maker at Staub Cheese in Waddams Grove, IL until he joined the US Navy in 1953. He served on the USS Midway for 2 years. She was on a seven-month Mediterranean Cruise followed by a six-month world cruise. In 1956 he was assigned to the USS Norfolk. In January of 1957, he was discharged as a 2nd class petty officer. On April 25, 2015 she was part of the Korean Honor Flight to Washington DC with her daughter Debra Bidlingmaier. He was very proud of being a Veteran.

On September 25, 1953 he married the love of his life, Darlene Burmeister at Nora Community Church by Rev. Roy Berg. After his discharge they farmed and eventually purchased the Harry Burmeister home farm until semi-retiring in 1978. At that time, they built their new home in South Wayne. Don still continued to work the land with mechanical work on the machinery and helping his son wherever he was needed on the farm. Don and Darlene spent their winters at Fountain View Park, North Ft. Myers, Florida for 31 winters. In 2016 they moved into a condo in Monroe, WI.

Don was a member of the Monroe United Methodist Church. He served on the Warren Fair, Blackhawk School and South Wayne Village Boards and was a volunteer with the South Wayne Fire Department. He also held several offices in the South Wayne and Gratiot Methodist Churches and was on the board of directors of the Gratiot State Bank. He was a life member of the Gratiot VFW and Warren Masonic Lodge as a Past Master and Past Worthy Patron of the Warren Eastern Star. He was also a member of the Monroe Moose Lodge and a former member of the Freeport Consistory and Rockford Tebala Shrine.

Don loved to bowl, golf, play cards and go to the Dog Track. He also enjoyed his winters in Florida spending time with great friends. He especially likes quality moments with his wife and family throughout the year. They are always lucky enough to take annual vacations while in the country visiting 51 states and taking several cruises. He was an avid fan of the Blackhawk Warriors, Monroe Cheesemakers, Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers. In 2017 after moving to Monroe, she made many friends and enjoyed coffee times with the boys.

His greatest asset is his family. He always shared his love and great pride for everyone. He loved watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their activities. Grandpa gave the best hug. Family always comes first. He always tells his wife that she is his best friend and every day he receives a kiss and I love you from him. He really gave everything to create a good life for our whole family.

Don is survived by his wife, Darlene; three children: Debra (Tom) Bidlingmaier, Browntown, Dean, Warren, IL. and Dana (Chuck) Montgomery, Monroe; eight grandchildren, Cory (Kerrie) Bidlingmaier, Chad (Ashley) Bidlingmaier, Carli (Jose) Cabrera, Courtney (Kevin) Grossen, Brett (Mandy) Brooker, Lindsay (Joel) Wilhelmson, McKenzie (Justin) Lowe and Bryce Montgomery; thirteen great-grandchildren: Trent, Braylon, Harper & Henley Bidlingmaier, Adalie Grossen, Kaylee, Zoey, Josie & Zachary Brooker, Corbin & Maverick Wilhelmson, David and Robert Oliver; a sister, Marilyn Ruthe; brother and sisters-in-law, Pete (Delores) Burmeister and Shell Burmeister along with a special friend, Gene Wilson and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law, Harry and Leona Burmeister; brothers, Clarence, Kenneth, Russell, Ralph; sisters Betty, Audrey and Maxine; and brother-in-law Charles Burmeister.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at Monroe United Methodist Church, Monroe, Wisconsin with Pastor Jeffrey Meyer officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Burial and military rites will be held at Gratiot Methodist Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Monroe United Methodist Church and the Gratiot VFW.

He was born on December 1, 1928 in Sterling, Illinois to Clarence and Augusta (Schmidt) Brooker. He grew up in the Nora, Ill. area. and worked hard as a young man. At age 14 he hauled milk from the farms to the factory lifting heavy cans. He later became a cheese maker at Staub Cheese in Waddams Grove, IL until he joined the US Navy in 1953. He served on the USS Midway for 2 years. She was on a seven-month Mediterranean Cruise followed by a six-month world cruise. In 1956 he was assigned to the USS Norfolk. In January of 1957, he was discharged as a 2nd class petty officer. On April 25, 2015 she was part of the Korean Honor Flight to Washington DC with her daughter Debra Bidlingmaier. He was very proud of being a Veteran.

On September 25, 1953 he married the love of his life, Darlene Burmeister at Nora Community Church by Rev. Roy Berg. After his discharge they farmed and eventually purchased the Harry Burmeister home farm until semi-retiring in 1978. At that time, they built their new home in South Wayne. Don still continued to work the land with mechanical work on the machinery and helping his son wherever he was needed on the farm. Don and Darlene spent their winters at Fountain View Park, North Ft. Myers, Florida for 31 winters. In 2016 they moved into a condo in Monroe, WI.

Don was a member of the Monroe United Methodist Church. He served on the Warren Fair, Blackhawk School and South Wayne Village Boards and was a volunteer with the South Wayne Fire Department. He also held several offices in the South Wayne and Gratiot Methodist Churches and was on the board of directors of the Gratiot State Bank. He was a life member of the Gratiot VFW and Warren Masonic Lodge as a Past Master and Past Worthy Patron of the Warren Eastern Star. He was also a member of the Monroe Moose Lodge and a former member of the Freeport Consistory and Rockford Tebala Shrine.

Don loved to bowl, golf, play cards and go to the Dog Track. He also enjoyed his winters in Florida spending time with great friends. He especially likes quality moments with his wife and family throughout the year. They are always lucky enough to take annual vacations while in the country visiting 51 states and taking several cruises. He was an avid fan of the Blackhawk Warriors, Monroe Cheesemakers, Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers. In 2017 after moving to Monroe, she made many friends and enjoyed coffee times with the boys.

His greatest asset is his family. He always shared his love and great pride for everyone. He loved watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their activities. Grandpa gave the best hug. Family always comes first. He always tells his wife that she is his best friend and every day he receives a kiss and I love you from him. He really gave everything to create a good life for our whole family.

Don is survived by his wife, Darlene; three children: Debra (Tom) Bidlingmaier, Browntown, Dean, Warren, IL. and Dana (Chuck) Montgomery, Monroe; eight grandchildren, Cory (Kerrie) Bidlingmaier, Chad (Ashley) Bidlingmaier, Carli (Jose) Cabrera, Courtney (Kevin) Grossen, Brett (Mandy) Brooker, Lindsay (Joel) Wilhelmson, McKenzie (Justin) Lowe and Bryce Montgomery; thirteen great-grandchildren: Trent, Braylon, Harper & Henley Bidlingmaier, Adalie Grossen, Kaylee, Zoey, Josie & Zachary Brooker, Corbin & Maverick Wilhelmson, David and Robert Oliver; a sister, Marilyn Ruthe; brother and sisters-in-law, Pete (Delores) Burmeister and Shell Burmeister along with a special friend, Gene Wilson and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law, Harry and Leona Burmeister; brothers, Clarence, Kenneth, Russell, Ralph; sisters Betty, Audrey and Maxine; and brother-in-law Charles Burmeister.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at Monroe United Methodist Church, Monroe, Wisconsin with Pastor Jeffrey Meyer officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Burial and military rites will be held at Gratiot Methodist Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Monroe United Methodist Church and the Gratiot VFW.

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