Anita Jean Brooks, age 79, of North Platte, Nebraska, passed away Friday, September 11, 2026, at the Maples at Centennial.

Anita was born September 21, 1946, in North Platte to Ray and Agnes (Sedlacek) Smith. She grew up in North Platte, raised by her mom, before graduating from North Platte High School. After graduation, Anita married Orrin D. Brooks. To this union was born their beloved children Gary, Gerald, and Brenda. Anita began working as a housekeeper for Centennial Nursing Home once her kids were out of the house. There she worked dutifully for 20 years before retiring in 2011.

Anita will be remembered for her caring and passionate nature. Though she often kept to herself, she was naturally opinionated and a tad outspoken, owing to growing up with four siblings. She loved Elvis, Husker football, and collecting angels. But most important of all to Anita was her family. She always strove to be the best mother she could be, making sure her kids were taken care of. She instilled a healthy love of the holidays in her children, making all of them, but especially Christmas, special and sacred every year. She was always there for family, getting her kids to and attending events when they were young and taking care of her mom in her old age.

Those left to cherish Anita’s memory are her children Gary (Brenda) Brooks, Gerald Brooks, and daughter Brenda Hills-Brooks all of North Platte; grandchildren Austin (Sarah) Brooks, Kylin Brooks, Taylor Hills, Cameron Hills, Jessica (Rich) Reed, and Nate (Sherre Klie-Davis) Davis; great-grandchildren Reese Brooks, Madison and Aspen Reed, and Jonathan, Aurora, Carson, and Quinton Davis; and brother Meril Smith of North Platte.

She is preceded in death by her parents Ray and Agnes Smith, siblings Raymond Smith, Colleen Savage, and Donald Smith, and infant sisters Dorren and Myra Smith.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 10:30 am at Harvest Christian Church with Pastor Jeremy Rinke officiating. Burial will follow at North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 from 12 to 7 p.m., with family receiving friends from 5 to 7, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which has been entrusted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at carpentermemorial.com.