Valerie "Val" Brooks

SIOUX CITY -- Valerie "Val" Brooks, 55, of Sioux City died Monday, Oct. 13, 2008, following a 10-month battle with cancer.

Abiding by the families wishes, cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.

Val was born Dec. 10, 1952, in Santa Ana, Calif., to Kenneth and Marie (Kuhn) Brooks. After high school, she worked for 15 years for Safeway in California before moving to Sioux City in 1988. She attended Western Iowa Tech Community College and earned a certificate in the medical secretary and patient accounts program. She worked at Mercy clinics business office and at the time of her death, 17 years later, was a certified professional coder.

Her passions were reading, her cats and traveling with friends. A few places she had been included the Panama Canal, England, France and Alaska.

She is survived by her mother, Marie Craft of Sioux City; two sisters, Jeanette Mayberry of South Sioux City and Melody Stallmann of Sioux City; two nephews, Jameson Mayberry of Mason City, Iowa, and Nathaniel Mayberry of Dyersburg, Tenn.; a niece, Natalie Mayberry Bernstein of Pittsburgh, Pa.; two grandnieces; and two grandnephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Brooks; stepfather, Clarence "Bud" Craft; her grandparents; and numerous friends.

The family wishes to express their appreciation and thanks to Dr. David Lucke, Dr. Radha Rao, their staff and Hospice of Siouxland for their care and dedication.

Go with God Val and be at peace.