Grace Lauraine (Endacott) Brooks

Grace Lauraine (Endacott) Brooks

Born May 19, 1932, to Norman and Laura Endacott, Grace was (according to her business card) a “Retired Tennis Star, Golfer-in-Training, Reader, Walker, Fly-Fisher, Spouse, Mother, Grammy & Super Person”.  She graduated from the University of Kansas in 1953 with a degree in Music (piano and organ), participating in Intramural Sports, Academic Mortar Board, President of Jay Janes, President of Delta Delta Delta Sorority, Honorary member of Sigma Alpha Iota., and playing the organ for Trinity Lutheran Church.  She married Bill Brooks on June 12, 1954, in Lawrence, and moved to Abilene, Texas.  Her career included working for Sunflower Ordinance Works, Magnolia Oil Company, and playing the organ for Grace Lutheran Church.  While raising a family, she was the Vice President of the Junior League, participated in the Abilene Music Group, Tri Delt Alumnae, PTA, and served as President of Panhellenic.  The family moved to Denver, Colorado in 1968 where Grace continued her activities in Junior League, Tri Delt Alumnae, and PTA, adding memberships in Symphony Debs, Bal de Ballet Debutants, Gourmet Dinner Club, and Eskimo Ski Club, being added to the Social Register in Denver.  In her “spare” time, she enjoyed competitive Tennis winning many trophies, Fly-Fishing including tying her own flies, Golf, and Skiing.  She and her husband Bill retired in 2000 to Lawrence, Kansas, where she continued her volunteer work with Tri Delta Alumnae, SAI, PEO and member of various other organizations keeping physically active with Tennis and a personal trainer through her 90 ^th year.

Grace’s name was added to the register in the Book of Life on August 5, 2023, at the age of 91.  She was preceded in death by her daughter Susan Brooks, her brother Alan Endacott, and her husband of 61 years Bill Brooks.  She is survived by daughters Karen Brooks Rhea (Scott) and Sara Brooks Czapinski, grandchildren John Rhea (Sydney), Stephen Rhea (Kitty), Alexis Czapinski, and Erik Czapinski, and great granddaughters Emilene, McKinley, and Wendy Rhea.  Memorial service will be held Friday, August 11, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Jayhawk Tennis Center c/o Kyle Markham or Trinity Lutheran Church Music Fund.