Lenna Faye Brokens

Lenna “Faye” Brokens, 97, passed away on November 28, 2022. She was born on August 25, 1925, at Lynn Brothers Hospital in Pocatello, Idaho. Faye was the daughter of Christian and Lenna Mable Haberer.

She attended Emerson School as a child, as well as the First Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her family moved to American Falls and she was baptized in the Indian Springs swimming pool when she was 8 years old. They then moved to Twin Falls where her dad worked for a farmer named Carl Rudeen. It was while in Twin Falls that she walked one mile to a one-room schoolhouse where all six grades were taught together in the same room. Faye said she probably learned more at that school than she would have at a school with separated classes. Her family moved back to Pocatello during the Depression where her dad went to work for the railroad and was unloading coal cars for $1 per day. Faye attended Irving Junior High School and Pocatello High School, graduating in 1943.

Immediately after graduation, Faye went to work for Mutual Creamery, which was near the Mountain View Cemetery. She later worked for Eastern Idaho Production, a farm loan company, and then Union Pacific Railroad in Fort Hall in the crew dispatcher’s office, as a trainmaster clerk, and also in the personnel records bureau. Faye eventually transferred to the Union Pacific Railroad Depot in Pocatello and worked in the Superintendent’s office as a stenographer until her retirement. She was very good at taking shorthand and was sent to many railroad investigations to take shorthand at the proceedings.

Faye met the love of her life, John Brokens, when he was stationed at the Pocatello Air Base. Faye and John were married in February of 1946 and moved to Omaha, Nebraska for a short time while John worked on a pipeline, but eventually came back to Pocatello.

She loved to bowl and was on various bowling teams, traveling to tournaments in her younger years. Faye also loved gardening and growing flowers and kept a beautiful yard and garden.

Faye loved the Lord and was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many church positions and assisted with various activities throughout her life.

She was preceeded in death by her parents; brother Robert Allen; husband John Brokens; sisters Erna Radford and Merlene Young; and step-grandson Greg Tolman.

Faye is survived by her son Blayne (Karen) Brokens of Pocatello; grandchildren Marjean (Dave) Richey of St. George, Utah, Chad Brokens of Sugar City, Idaho, Daniel Brokens of Weston, Idaho; step-grandsons Mike (Toni) Tolman of Pocatello and Steve (Kerri) Tolman of American Falls; and 40 great and great-great grandchildren. She will be missed by her family and all those who knew her.

Her family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Brookdale Assisted Living on Hawthorne Road, as well as the special people at Enhabit Home Care and Hospice for the care and support they provided to her for the last several years.

A viewing will be held on Monday, December 5, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Wilks Funeral Home.  Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery.  

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