Lori S. Brooks

Lori S. Brooks

Coralville

Lori S. Brooks, 73, of Coralville, died Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at the Naples Community Hospital in Naples, Fla.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, where visitation will take place on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. To share a thought, memory or condolence, please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation website at www.gayandciha.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Lori’s memory.

Lori Storm Brooks was born Oct. 18, 1949, in Iowa City, to Harold and Jean (Cheyne) Storm. Lori attended Lone Tree Community School. Following graduation in 1967, she attended beauty school and was a licensed cosmetologist owning her own salon Guys and Dolls in New London. Later in life she took a career change and became a paramedic working for the Johnson County Ambulance Service beginning in 1987. Through this career she met the love of her life, Harry Brooks. They married on Oct. 11, 2003. She retired Nov. 11, 2011. She was a dedicated EMS instructor and continued teaching CPR and first aid after her retirement.

Lori was a gifted musician and music was a big part of her life including teaching piano lessons as a teenager. Lori’s generous spirit led her to share her life not only with her daughters, but also with their friends and others that needed a strong female advocate. There was always a place at her table for anyone. She was a lover of all animals but especially her dogs, Kiki and Cattie and her special friend Martini. Lori was a lifelong Hawkeyes fan and enjoyed gathering with friends to watch the games. She traveled to Germany several times and enjoyed visiting her friend Katja and her family. She was excited to research her heritage while there. For several years, Lori and Harry spent their winters in Florida and made many friends. She loved entertaining but, in her later years, just visiting with her friends was a treat. As she became ill, her friends would come and often brought food to the home. These were such meaningful friendships when she was unable to be as active as she would have liked.

Lori is survived by her husband, Harry Brooks; her daughters, Nicci Butler (John), Jessica Meade (Brandon), Tonya Smith (Gerry) and Amber Mattheis (Josh). She leaves behind grandchildren, Teagan, Jack and Griffin Butler; Cash and Shane Jensen; Mykala, Gavin (Sammy), Tavian (Jaianna) and Taleah (Brady) Smith. She had great-grandchildren, Cashius, Ava, Kai and Tavian Jr. She is also survived by her sister, Lana (Dale) Schaefer, and their children, Dan (Kandee) Schaefer, Mindi (Kenny) Rodriquez and Matt (Jen) Schaefer; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and mother-in-law, Rita Brooks.