Robert E. Brooks
March 21, 2009


Robert E. Brooks, 81, of Great Falls, who spent most of his life farming and ranching in Minot, N.D., died of complications from Lou Gehrig's disease Monday in Great Falls.



A celebration of his life is 11 a.m. today at Immanuel Baptist Church in Minot. Thomas Funeral Home of Minot is in charge of arrangements.

Bob was surrounded by his family when he died.

His family includes his daughters, Lisa (Troy) Lindquist of Great Falls, Candy (Duane Tofteland) Brooks of rural Minot, and Becky (Ron) Nelson of Great Falls; his brother, Loren (Janet) Brooks of Hardin, Mont.; and his four grandchildren, Kelsey, Brooks, Connor and Allie.

Bob was born Sept. 30, 1927, in a stone farmhouse near Glenburn, N.D., to James and Goldie Brooks. He graduated from Glenburn High School, where he excelled in basketball and played trombone in the school band. He also was a member of the Glenburn Baptist Church. With the support of their parents, Bob and his brother, Loren, purchased their first Hereford heifers in 1943, starting a lifelong commitment to the breed. From that small beginning, their registered Hereford herd expanded. They showed their cattle at livestock shows across the country, including the National Western Stock Show in Denver.

In 1950, with the cooperation of their parents, another ranch was purchased near Burlington.

On Dec. 11, 1958, Bob married Alexzine Grenz. They made their home on the Burlington ranch, where they raised their three girls.

Bob loved the ranch life, and enjoyed teaching his girls to ride horse and work cattle. Brooks Ranch had its first production sale in 1958, and 55 sales followed. Some of these sales were listed in the Top 10 sales by the American Hereford Association. The Brooks brothers were among some of the first breeders to begin performance testing on their herd. A second ranch was purchased near Hardin in 1975, which his brother and family operated. Bob continued to operate the Brooks Ranch near Glenburn, where he enjoyed farming and ranching with his daughter, Candy.

Bob was instrumental in getting his grandchildren interested in livestock, and enjoyed helping them select their 4-H steers and watching them show. He was a member of the North Dakota Stockmen's Association for 56 years, and was an active member of the North Dakota Hereford Association, where he served as director and president. He also served as a trustee in the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, and was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church.



Bob walked softly around his herd of cows. He would carry a baby calf on his saddle, coaxing a cow to come and find shelter in the barn. He was a true and honest cowboy, loved and respected by his family. His children and grandchildren loved to hear him sing and whistle his large repertoire of old songs.

Bob lovingly cared for his wife, Alexzine, for many years after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He stayed by her side as she battled the disease and cared for her at home until she passed away Nov. 3, 2008.

In addition to his wife, Bob was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials are suggested to the ALS Association, the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, or Peace Hospice.

Condolences may be posted online at www.gftribune.com/obituaries.