Obituary of Brooke VanDerhule

VANDERHULE BROOKE

Mary Brooke VanDerhule, age 72, of Yankton, SD passed away late Monday, December 11, 2023, at her home with her family by her side.  Visitations will be 4 to 6 PM, Thursday, December 14, 2023, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Onsite Crematory, Yankton, SD with the family present.  Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. 

Brooke was born September 26, 1951 in Ottumwa, IA to James and Jolaine McDonald.  Her family moved to Yankton in 1960 and she attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and Yankton High School, graduating in 1969.  She aspired to be a nurse, and attended Presentation College in Aberdeen, graduating with an associate degree RN in 1971.  She began her nursing career at Sacred Heart Hospital and held many supervisory positions in the years that she worked there.  In 1977 she received her BS in Nursing at Mount Marty College.

Over the course of her nursing career Brooke practiced in Colorado and Nebraska, and in 2001 returned to Sioux Falls to work at then Sioux Valley Hospital.  She had a deep interest in oncology care and received her Oncology Nursing Certification. Brooke was proud to work with the physicians and staff at Sanford Hospital in the development of a lung/thoracic tumor conference which offers cancer patients the best of care approach in a team setting.  Brooke retired in 2016 and she thoroughly enjoyed the time by relaxing with friends and family, always up for a game of Scrabble and a glass of chardonnay.

Brooke is survived by Ross, her husband of 53 years, daughter Emily, daughter Polly Kemmeries (Scott), son Jeffrey (Carrie Ladyga), and two special joys of her life, grandchildren Zachary and Lucy Kemmeries.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that a memorial be given to the charity of your choice.