Janet Gayle Stearns-Brooks

Janet Gayle Stearns-Brooks, 86, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away Friday, February 13, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026, at Central Church of Christ, 1500 1st Avenue NW in Cedar Rapids. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the church. Burial will take place at a later date at Linwood Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.

Jan was born March 4, 1939, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Jack “JD” and Ada M. (Ford) Stearns. When she was two years old, her family moved to Swisher while her father was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. After his passing in 1943, Jan’s mother married Frank J. Dostal, and the family soon settled in Cedar Rapids. She attended the old Van Buren Grade School and was part of the final graduating class of Wilson High School in 1957. Jan went on to attend the University of Iowa. On August 26, 1966, she married Eugene Brooks, and together they welcomed two children: Tony and Trinda.

Jan spent many years working at Rockwell Collins Radio until her retirement and then became a massage therapist. She was a member of the Cedar Rapids Boxing Club and Marion Church of Christ, was a breast cancer survivor, and volunteered her time at many local schools.

Jan will be deeply missed by the many friends and family whose lives she touched.

Survivors include her daughter, Trinda Brooks; daughter-in-law, Alecia; grandchildren, Jada (Ben), Jon (Bri), Nathan, and Nicholas; great-grandchildren, Ella, Alex, and Izzy; and extended family members Dave, Sue, and Amy Weiler.

She was preceded in death by her mother and stepfather, Ada M. Dostal and Frank J. Dostal; her father, JD Stearns; her husband, Eugene; her son, Anthony; and her great-granddaughter, Maria.

Donations and flowers may be sent to Central Church of Christ, 1500 1st Avenue NW, Cedar Rapids, 52404.

The family would like to thank all who called, visited, and offered their thoughts and prayers. A special thank you to Paul and Karen Enos, and Mike and Kathy Cole.