Kenneth D. Brooks Sr., 84 of Kouts, IN, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, August 20, 2026. He was born November 4, 1941, in Oak Park, IL, to the late Alfred and Lola (Finch) Brooks. Ken enjoyed growing up and working on the family farm in Medaryville. He graduated from Medaryville High School in 1960, and went on to a career as a drywall finisher with Kaluf Drywall in Schererville for over 40 years. In his spare time, Ken could be found golfing, gardening, and woodworking. He enjoyed camping trips, traveling with his wife, antiquing, and spending time with his beloved grandchildren. Playing basketball with his grandsons earned Ken the nickname “Hoops Brooks” which he cherished. Ken will be fondly remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
On May 4, 1996, Ken married Nancy (Chael) Brooks, who survives, along with his children: Kenneth Brooks Jr., Heather Brooks, and Melissa (Jeremy) Johnson; stepson, Mark (Jessica) Stephens; grandchildren: Dylan and Brayden Johnson, and Tessa and Vivian Stephens; sister, Sue Brooks; and nephew, Jason (Vanessa) Schultz.
A visitation will be held on Monday, August 24, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Kosanke Funeral Home, 309 S. Main St., Kouts. Ken will be laid to rest privately at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Kouts. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ken’s name to Dunes Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association.
GUESTBOOK
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Heather often told me stories of family times. Share those memories and stories. Love and peace. -Kristi Nance-Hmurovich
Heather and family I am so sorry to hear of your loss. There is comfort in prayer, and knowing he is with his Heavenly Father. -Karen L Novina
Nancy, I only knew you and your beloved husband for a short time when we met at Anita's in Medaryville with Aileen Siemens Stteele. He was a genuinely happy guy even dealing with his health problems . You were a great wife and caregiver which is certainly very difficult at times. My heart goes out to you as I too lost my husband of 52 in August of 2021, Monday will the 5th anniversary of his passing away of pancreatic Cancer. It has left a big hole in my life as we did so much together. I pray for your strength and sense of peace today and in the days ahead. May God Bless You... Love, -Denice Tanner
So sorry for your loss . . . I worked with Ken for several years at Kaluf Drywall . . . Ken was always a nice guy to be around . . . we had a lot of fun and did a lot of work together . . . he was good at what he did and would help anyone if he could . . . when I left the company to pursue others things Ken and I lost contact until years later we connected on Facebook for a while . . . I will always remember Ken's smile and humor . . . and will always have kind thoughts when I hear the name Kenny Brooks . . . where ever he is he is more than likely mixing mud ... running flats and taping angles . . . putting on a mask and sanding . . . -Ron VanDenburgh
Ken: what a wonderful man. He will be greatly missed. I met him when I started working at Kaluf Drywall and had an immediate connection. We were able to confide, commiserate, vent and complain to each other. He loved his wife ever so much. Not only was she his soulmate, but his best friend. She, herself, was a wonderful person. So caring and thoughtful. Made you feel like you had known her forever. She cared for him, without a second thought, to the very end. The two of them were such a pleasure to be around. Ken will not be easily forgotten. RIP, my dear friend. -Chris Fugate
