GARNET ELAINE (DEWITT) BROOKMAN, 81, DIED APRIL 10th 2004.

Garnet Elaine (DeWitt) Brookman age 81 passed away April 10, 2004 at Close To Home, Tomah, WI. She was born on Aug 3, 1922 in the Township of Clinton, Vernon County to Eugene Albertos and Lula Mae (Teal) DeWitt. She was baptized in the United Brethren Church in Dell, WI. She attended Sugar Grove School and later moved with her family to the rural Wilton area in 1934. She graduated from Wilton High School in 1940. She married Merel F. Brookman on November 22, 1944 in San Diego, CA. After Merel’s discharge from the Marine Corps they moved to Milwaukee, WI three years later they moved back to Tomah, WI.

Garnet enjoyed her family and friends. She was the neighborhood beautician, seamstress and babysitter. Garnet took pride in doing for others and she seldom had a harsh word for anyone. She loved to sew, knit, crochet, play solitaire and Bingo. In her quiet manner she was probably the most faithful Milwaukee Braves and Brewer Baseball fan that you would ever find.

Garnet worked at Cram’s Supermarket and DJ’s supermarket for approximately thirty years. She enjoyed interacting with the customers. Garnet loved and cherished her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always sewing until the wee hours of the morning. She made everything from quilts, curtains, dresses, prom dresses and all her daughters wedding dresses. She passed her trait down to her children and grandchildren. Her greatest joy was to hear the laughter of children.

She is survived by her five children: Janice (Dennis) Henry, Wanda (Jim) Ashcraft, Lana Brookman, Linda (Marlin) Marten and Rod (Joan) Brookman all of Tomah. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Kris (Chris) Dahl, Shannon Henry, Dale Ashcraft, Brad Ashcraft, Brenda Finnigan, Coleen Finnigan, Gary Finnigan, Lisa (Pat) Shutter, Brian Marten, Ty Brookman, Meg (Aaron) Stoy and Beth Callahan, and 17 great-grandchildren. Garnet is also survived by one sister Audrey (John) Ferris, of Sheridan, WY, and two sisters-in-law, Maxine DeWitt and Marion (Clayton) Hansen both of Tomah. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

In addition to her husband Merel who passed away December 30, 2003 she was preceded in death by her parents, her father-in-law, Fredrick Brookman and mother-in-law Irene Brookman, she was also preceded in death by 2 grandchildren, Stacey Marten and David Marten, four brothers and three sisters-in-law, Cassiuss DeWitt, Carroll DeWitt and his wife Walda, Clarence (Kelley) DeWitt, Jasper (Jappy) DeWitt and his wife Caroline, Jack DeWitt, and one sister Violet (DeWitt) Major and her husband Eston. She was also preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, Corlys Brookman and Gilbert Schultz and a sister-in-law, Marlys (Brookman) Schultz.

Garnet lived her life with dignity. She touched many lives and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2004, 10:30 A.M. from the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home 801 East Monowau St. Tomah. Rev. Dale Klitzke will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery Tomah. Relative and friends are invited to call at the funeral from 4 to 8:00 P.M. on Monday and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service on Tuesday.