Dodge City- Gwendolyn Frances Wilson-Brooks, 97, died July 1, 2022 at Presbyterian Manor of the Plains, Dodge City. She was born on June 9, 1925 at Springfield, Missouri the daughter of Louis Bishop and Edna Lee (Cowan) Heimer.
The family traveled to Kansas by train and settled in Hanston. She attended Southwestern College in Winfield, graduated from Sterling College, and did graduate work at Fort Hays College. Gwen was married to Glen Eugene Wilson, June 9, 1946 in Hanston, he preceded her in death in 1991. Gwen began teaching in 1946 and taught school beginning in a 1 room country school and at Beeler, Jetmore and Hanston. After retirement, she substituted in Dodge City and was also a librarian at St. Mary’s of the Plains. Gwen later married Frederic Thompson Brooks, February 4, 1995 in Dodge City, he preceded her in death in 2010.
Gwen is a member of the First United Methodist Church, Dodge City, where she is a member of the Builders Sunday School Class; Brown Bag, UMW Circle 2, FISH, Christian Women’s Club, Stonecroft Bible Study; she also sang in the choir and played the piano for Sunday school.
She was also active in the community through: ESA Sorority, FCE Extension Unit, PEO, Hospital Auxiliary, Chamber of Commerce, Depot Theater, Community Concerts, and Retired Teachers. Gwen was also a volunteer at the hospital and the Manor of the Plains, piano accompanist for church and care home church services and birthday celebrations. Gwen was awarded the Dodge City Area Women’s Chamber, “Woman of the Year” in 2015. She was also recognized as a Dodge City Family YMCA, “Member Champion” in 2020.
Gwen is survived by her children, Jim Wilson and wife Shirley of Ulysses, Jean Lyman and husband Dean of Sharon, Jared Wilson and wife Veronica of Little River, and Jolana Perkins and husband Roger of Miltonvale; 9 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and 9 step great grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Glen Wilson and Frederick Brooks; a brother, James Heimer; and a grand daughter, Traci.
Funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church on Wednesday July 6, 2022 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Jerre Nolte presiding. Burial will be at 4:30 PM on Wednesday at the Hanston Cemetery in Hanston. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church of Dodge City or Hanston and Presbyterian Manor of the Plains in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.
