Marianne C. Brooks

Age 76 of Wilmington, Illinois passed away August 27, 2025 at Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care in Joliet, Illinois.

Born March 22, 1949 in Joliet, Marianne was a daughter of Fred and Ruth (Peterson) Martens. She was raised in Wilmington, graduated with the Wilmington High School Class of 1967, and continued her education at Northern Illinois University, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree.  Marianne later went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Education.

On December 19, 1981, Marianne married Gary Lee Brooks, and together they made their home in Wilmington, where they raised their family. She devoted 37 years to teaching in the Wilmington School District 209U, where she touched countless lives and inspired generations of students.

Marianne was a proud member of the “Jewels of the Schools,” a Red Hat Society chapter of retired teachers who shared friendship, laughter, and camaraderie.  She was also a member of the Wilmington Historical Society.  

Marianne had many passions that filled her life with joy and color. She had a lifelong love of genealogy, carefully tracing her family roots and especially cherishing her Norwegian and German heritage. She especially treasured her travels to Norway, which allowed her to connect more deeply with her ancestry. At home, she found fulfillment in her gardens of flowers and vegetables, and her creative spirit shone through in arts and crafts, particularly wreaths and baskets that she made with care. An avid photographer with her beloved Canon camera, Marianne enjoyed capturing the beauty around her, while her whimsical side delighted in her cheerful collection of gnomes.

A devoted reader, she made it a point to read every single Danielle Steele novel, and her sense of fun and humor carried into the classroom, where she loved playing Mad Libs with her students. That sense of humor became a lasting gift she passed along to her children. She also had a passion for sports, always proudly cheering on the Wilmington Wildcats and faithfully showing off her purple Wildcat pride. She loved wearing purple and wore it as often as she could.

Marianne’s heart for others defined her life. She was always caring for others, putting their needs first and gladly stepping in to help anyone in need. Family and friends knew her as a giver, someone who cared deeply, laughed often, and loved unconditionally. She always had a soft spot in her heart for dogs and showed her love of country and support of the military by proudly displaying red, white, and blue. One of her proudest roles was being an “Army Grandma” to her grandson, Keenan, whose service filled her with immense pride.

Survivors include her two children: Jennifer (Chad) Speer of Wilmington and Garret (Sarah) Brooks of Joliet; loving Nana to three grandchildren: Pvt. Keenan Orr of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Sterling and Jackson Brooks of Joliet; her sister: Nancy (the late Jimmie) Williams and niece, Julie Williams, both of Marco Island, Florida and many loving cousins.

Marianne was preceded in death by her parents; husband Gary and nephew David Williams.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington on Thursday, September 4, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. until service time at 4:30 p.m. Following services Marianne will be laid to rest in Saratoga Cemetery in Morris, Illinois beside her beloved husband Gary.

Serving as pallbearers are Garret Brooks, Jennifer Speer, Chad Speer, Keenan Orr, Stephanie (Sloman) Pratt, and Charlie Brainard.

In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Marianne’s memory to 209U Foundation For Excellence, 209U Wildcat Court, Wilmington, Illinois 60481.

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Marianne’s memorial page online through social media.

Funeral services and cremation arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves, Fruland & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory. (815-476-2181)