Obituary of Phyllis Angela Brooks

Brooks, Phyllis A. (Angela Mayer) Age 97, of Minnetonka, MN. passed away peacefully of natural causes on May 24, 2020. Preceded in death by her Parents, Richard & Grace Mayer; son, Stephen; grandson, Colton Brooks, and 3 sisters, Shirley, Marilynne, and Carol. She is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Leonard, and sons, David (Darlene), Jerry (Vicky), Jeffrey (Lori), Randy (Karen); daughter in law, Marilyn; best friend, Bonnie Leer; 8 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and many friends. 

To know her, was to love and respect her.

Born in Minneapolis on July 2nd,1923, the first of four daughters born to Grace (Glasby) and Richard Mayer. She and her younger sisters, Shirley, Marilynne, and Carol, were raised in Minneapolis in the Catholic religion, “to the letter of the law”, attending Incarnation Parochial School, or “Inky” as it was called, until the 8th grade. Religion played a very important role in their lives, as they were duty and honor bound, with a very high set of moral standards. She was an A student in Jr. and Sr. High School, loved Dance, Music, and sewing her own clothes.

Soon after graduation, she married a high school boyfriend, and a year later gave birth to her first son David, with a second son Stephen born four years later. While pregnant with Steve, her young marriage became impossible due to physical and mental abuse, and to protect herself, David, and unborn child, she courageously sought and eventually obtained a divorce.

After some time, “with a match made in heaven,” She met the love of her life Lenny in January of 1951, her being his dance instructor. They began dating almost every night for 5 months and were married in June of 1951. The very next day was Fathers’ Day, and Lenny was now a “newly-wed,” and the father of two boys, adopting them both soon after, much to the pride of the boys.

Thus, started a new life for them all, with a move to a home in Richfield MN. and happy days to follow. The following year in October of 1952, she gave birth to twin boys, Jeffrey, and Jerry, and just 13 months later, gave birth to her 5th son Randy in Nov. 1953. These were incredibly happy and busy days. She and Lenny were active in the local Jay Cees, Dance club, bridge clubs, both sang in the Richfield Civic Chorus, attended operas and symphonies, and the Artists’ course at the U of M. They rarely missed a Gopher football game, home or away, as they met their life- long friends Chuck and Bonnie Leer, who had seats right behind theirs at the games.

She was also an avid gardener, took piano lessons, enjoyed family ski trips, and played golf with Lenny and Dave (caddie) at the country club. A gifted interior decorator, she, and Lenny over time, furnished and maintained 11 homes with exquisite taste and design, most on water or ocean, they both loved the water.

When Lenny joined the Zuhrah Shrine, and later the Prior Lake Players cast, she gave support in many ways, sewing costumes and helping with makeup. In 1982 both she and Lenny chose sobriety, and when Lenny joined AA, she was fully supportive all along, both enjoying 38 years of sobriety.

She was a lover of beautiful things, loved collecting art glass and antiquities, and created beautiful needle point pillows. They both loved to travel and enjoyed many wonderful cruises together.

Always beautiful, the fact that she always looked so good was not by accident, as she was meticulous about her appearance, and was blessed with style and grace.

A wonderful storyteller with such a memory for detail, she told stories about her youth that should have been recorded as told. When she laughed, her joy was contagious, and could bring you to tears at times.

She was very complimentary, always noticing and saying something nice about you. She loved her family, from the oldest to the newest, and could not wait to hold the babies in her lap. With a mind like a steel trap, she most enjoyed keeping her mind sharp, doing the toughest crossword puzzles, crypto-quips, and logic games on her computer. Everything stopped though for Jeopardy in the afternoon, or a chance to beat Lenny at cribbage.

She and Lenny attended the Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, and it was their Sunday ritual, loving the church and choir, friends, and pastors.

Best of all, she was a loving companion to her husband Lenny. She had a warm and compassionate heart, was a great friend to so many, and the best Mom any son could ever pray for.

Funeral services will be held at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, 5025 Knox Ave South, Minneapolis, MN to be scheduled at a date and time when Covid restrictions allow for a traditional service.

Family would prefer any memorials be sent to the Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, or any charities of their choosing.