Rolla William Brooks , 78, Berthold, formerly of Mandan, died Saturday, May 3, 2008, in his home from an apparent heart attack.

Rolla was born on November 17, 1929 on the family farm in Foxholm Township of Ward County near Lonetree, ND to Alvin and Hilma (Hiatt) Brooks. He was raised on the family farm and attended school in Lonetree. As a young adult he was employed on area farms. Rolla enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 16, 1951 and was stationed at Camp Rucker, Alabama. He received his honorable discharge on November 5, 1952. He returned to the Berthold area and married Joan Nappen on July 12, 1953 at Minot. They made their home in Minot and various places in North Dakota where Rolla was employed by the Great Northern Railroad. The family settled in Berthold in 1972 where Rolla continued with the Burlington Northern Railroad. He was transferred to Mandan in 1985 and was employed there until he retired in 1991 and returned to Berthold where they since had lived.

Rolla hobbies included woodworking, gardening, and his grandchildren.

His loving family includes his wife of 54 years Joan; children: Debra (Richard) Peterson of Billings, MT, Jeffrey Brooks, Gregory (Jenny) Brooks, Melinda Brooks (Wayne Trehus) and Monte Brooks all of Summerville, SC and Cindy (Michael) DeBilt of Berthold, Kelly (Mary) Brooks of Burlington and Lisa (Gabe) DeGroat of Minot; eighteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren; half-sister: Geraldine Johnstone of San Jose, CA and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Rolla was preceded in death by his parents, son: Glynis and sister: Ida Mae Carlson.

Funeral Service : Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in Zion Lutheran Church, Minot
Graveside Service : Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at 3:00 p.m., in the ND Veterans Cemetery, rural Mandan.
Visitation : Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association.