Elizabeth A. (Hahn) Brooks, age 95, of Colorado Springs, CO (formerly of Mapleton and Des Moines) passed away on Friday, September 19, 2025, at the Bear Creek Senior Living of Colorado Springs, CO.
    A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., with a Visitation held one-hour prior from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton. Pastor Curt Copple will officiate. Committal Services will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery of Mapleton.
    The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
    Memorials in Elizabeth's name can be made to either the Iowa State Fair Foundation at https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/ways-to-give or the Alzheimer's Association at https://www.alz.org/
    Born Elizabeth Anne Hahn on September 10, 1930, in Mapleton, she was the sixth child of Herbert Max Hahn and Jenny Lucile (Hall) Hahn. Elizabeth grew up with four brothers and four sisters and often said she "loved growing up in a mob". Each of her siblings held a special place in her heart, and was spoken of often with love and admiration. She always enjoyed telling stories of her childhood years spent in small town or rural Iowa.
    Elizabeth graduated as Valedictorian from Mapleton High School in 1948 where she not only excelled in academics but was also a cheerleader, played on the girls' basketball team, and even played the bass drum in the band. She continued her education at the University of Iowa. On August 16, 1952, she married the love of her life, Richard D. (Dick) Brooks and moved with him to Honolulu, HI. After several more moves and the births of four children, she finished a Bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Iowa in 1963.
    The bulk of Elizabeth's career was spent at Meredith Publishing Co. in Des Moines, writing and editing copy for several publications, including Better Homes and Gardens. One of her tasks at this job was to convince writers that incorrect grammar was not acceptable as "my personal style." She created a Style Book for the magazine to help streamline and standardize language usage.
    Elizabeth never subscribed to BH&G, but she was a charter subscriber to MS. Magazine. She was a first wave feminist and a firm believer in civil rights.
    Elizabeth loved great literature (Faulkner was one of her favorites), music (she favored Beethoven), and art (especially Van Gogh). She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, often traveling some distance to attend birthdays, graduations, weddings, and other special events. She didn't care for card games but loved to play Scrabble with anyone who would take her on.
    Although she lived her last 12 years in Colorado, Elizabeth always considered Iowa to be home. One of her greatest joys was going to the Iowa State Fair where she volunteered for several years.
    Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents and eight siblings; her husband Richard D. Brooks Sr.; and her son Richard D. Brooks Jr.
    She is survived by three daughters: Myra Brooks (Marc Olson) of Colorado Springs, CO, Paula (Michael) Pahl of Thornton, CO, and Lonna Brooks (Joel Winograd) of Rio, WI; 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, plus numerous nieces and nephews. We will miss her sharp wit and wisdom, and her fierce love for her family.

    Janet M. Crum, age 71, of Mapleton passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at her residence.
    A Visitation was held with a Rosary and a Vigil Service on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton.
    A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Mapleton. Father William A. McCarthy officiated. Committal services followed in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery of Mapleton.
    The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton was in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com
    Janet Marie Crum, the daughter of Robert and Nelda (Miller) Weber, was born on December 17, 1953, in Mapleton. She grew up on a farm between Mapleton and Oto and attended Anthon-Oto High School, graduating with the Class of 1972. She went on to study at St. Joseph School of Nursing in Sioux City where she earned her RN in 1974. Following graduation, she began her nursing career at Marian Health Center, where she worked for several years.
    On July 15, 1978, Janet was united in marriage to Robert "Bob" Crum at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Oto. The couple made their forever home in Mapleton and were blessed with two children: Sara and Luke. Janet continued her nursing career at the hospital before spending a few years with Monona County Home Health Care. She later joined the Burgess Clinic in Mapleton, where she worked until her retirement in 2021.
    Janet was a devoted member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mapleton where she was active in the Ladies Guild, served as a lector, and participated in the prayer circle. She enjoyed working on puzzles, knitting, and shopping. Janet also had a passion for photography; particularly capturing images of vintage and historic subjects. She and Bob loved taking scenic drives together in search of photo opportunities, often ending their outings with a stop for ice cream.
    Christmas was Janet's favorite time of year. The tree was always decorated the day after Thanksgiving, and she began shopping for the next Christmas as soon as December 26 arrived, carefully choosing a unique wrapping paper for each family member. She also made it a heartfelt tradition to decorate her in-laws' gravesites with each change of season, a gesture her family will forever treasure. Janet will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.
    Left to cherish her memory include her husband Robert "Bob" Crum of Mapleton; children Sara (Cory) Beyer of Elkhorn, NE and Luke (Jennifer) Crum of Omaha, NE; grandchildren Brayden and Jakob Beyer, Blake, Harper, and Quinn Crum; sisters Nancy (Mark) Hahn of Mapleton, Lana (John) Stoll of Mapleton, and Marla (Rob) Gorshe of Boone; uncle Jerry (Willie) Weber of Oto; nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
    She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Nelda Weber; paternal grandparents Frank and Margaret Weber; maternal grandparents Hans and Clara Miller; aunts and uncles Lillian (Clifford) Reed, Raymond (Mary Ellen) Miller, Shorty (June) Miller, Violet (Willis) Steckeberg, Fern (Harry) Carter, George Miller, Richard (Floretta "Tet") Weber, and Paulesca "Toots" (Bud) Crilly; as well as extended family.