Delores Ruth Cunningham Brookbank, 83, Mitchell, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, December 9, 2018.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 15, at 10:30 AM at the Harvest Community Church of the Nazarene.  Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery.  Visitation will be Friday, December 14, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Will Funeral Chapel with a prayer service at 7:00 PM.  Arrangements are under the direction of Will Funeral Chapel.

Delores Cunningham was born to Clarence and Grace (Field) Cunningham on August 16, 1935.  She graduated from Mitchell High School in 1953.  After graduating, she immediately accepted the position of secretary to the high school principal, George Janke, selected from her class as one of the most accomplished secretaries and typists.  She served the Mitchell School District for more than six years.

On July 12, 1958, Delores married the love of her life, Ivan Brookbank.  They made their home in Mitchell and welcomed a daughter, Julie, in 1960.  After Julie's birth, Delores gladly assumed the role of stay-at-home-mom, although she did occasionally substitute for the District or high school administration offices when needed.  Son Doug was born in 1964.  Soon after, the family built a new home in 1967 on what was then the north end of Mitchell.  She lived in that home the remainder of her life.

Delores was a devoted servant of her church.  She served as church and Sunday School secretary for many years, going into the church office most Saturdays to produce the bulletin for the Sunday service.  She was a member of many committees, her favorite being Hospitality.   She and her "crew" hosted many showers, celebrations and funeral luncheons.  She also enjoyed singing in a number of musical ensembles over the years.

At home, she was a fierce homemaker; Delores was a virtuoso of cleaning and laundry.  She enjoyed working in her yard and collected unique planters that she displayed throughout the landscaping.  She was a committed mother, always willing to take on the role of room mother or carnival committee at school, transport kids to practices or activities and was always in attendance at events.  Her children's accomplishments made her extremely proud, especially their college graduations and career successes.  Delores was also of great help to her mother after her father died in 1971.

Delores's primary role was that of National Guard wife.  She supported Ivan through his 40+ year career, making sure that nothing at home was a worry for him while he served, sometimes being away for weeks at a time.  She was a member of the Women's National Guard Auxiliary and always made sure that other wives received vital information when their spouses were away.  After her children left home, she frequently traveled with Ivan to many service locations, including Aberdeen, Maryland, and Ft. Rucker, Alabama, where they spent many months.

After Ivan retired, the couple enjoyed traveling, making numerous trips a year to see Doug in South Carolina.  They purchased a motorhome and toured many areas of the U.S.  She was also able to travel to England in 1998 where she visited her penpal and close friend of more than 70 years, Barbara Newill.

Delores's passion for family extended to genealogy.  She was an accomplished researcher and spent time during some of their travels visiting records offices, libraries and cemeteries to fill in gaps on her family tree projects.  She was most proud of several binders she produced for family members outlining their personal histories.  Delores also enjoyed crafts and needlework, making dozens of hand crocheted afghans.  In her younger years, she was an expert seamstress, sewing most of her own clothing.

Toward the end of her life, the effects of several strokes took a toll on her health.  She was able to remain in her home under the care of her loving husband.

Delores is survived by her husband of 60 years, Ivan Brookbank; daughter Julie Brookbank and husband Philip Picha of Mitchell; son Douglas Brookbank and his wife, Teresa, of Greenville, SC; grandson JD Brookbank of Missoula, MT; brother Glenn Cunningham and wife, Norma, of Mitchell; two sisters-in-law, Char Stroud of Gillette, WY, and Carol Bunch of Spearfish, SD; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and a very special friend, her caregiver Christine Thornton.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her mother-in-law, Vera Brookbank; two brothers-in-law, Darrel Brookbank and Milt Brookbank; two sisters-in-law, Ilene Brookbank and Phyllis Brookbank; and a brother-in-law, Marvin Bunch.

Memorials are preferred and can be directed to the Helping Hand Pantry of Mitchell or the Mitchell Community Scholarship Fund.