Constance Brooks Manbeck

Constance Brooks Manbeck, age 88, passed away on Dec 3, 2025, in the Riley Crossing Memory Care Unit in Chanhassen, MN. A memorial service will be held on January 10, 2026, at the Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church located at 511 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis, MN. Visitation begins at 2:00 PM, followed by the service at 3:00 PM, and hospitality at 4:00 PM.

Constance Ruth Brooks was born to Newton Earl and Ethel Nancy (Eklund) Brooks on Oct 17, 1937, in Aitkin, MN. She graduated from Princeton High School in Princeton, MN. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics Education at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

She married Deane Monroe Manbeck on June 11, 1960, in St. Paul, MN. They traveled the world forging many close friendships and cherished memories. They lived in St. Paul, Minnesota; Medellin, Colombia; Lincoln, Nebraska; Lahore, Pakistan; Little Falls, Minnesota; Naperville, Illinois; Malang, Indonesia; Lombok, Indonesia; Richfield, Minnesota; and finally, Chanhassen, Minnesota. Their travels always returned them to their rustic and charming island cabin on Lake Vermilion in Northeastern Minnesota.

Connie worked for Minnegasco for several years as a cooking show host and recipe developer. Her delicious nutmeg stick cookie recipe (circa 1960) was featured in the Minnesota Star Tribune annual holiday cookie contest in 2004. She taught elementary school in Pakistan and was an English language tutor in Indonesia. She was very generous with her time and talents by serving in many volunteer roles.

She exhibited great creativity in all aspects of her life. She was a talented and versatile chef, a meticulous seamstress, a patient photographer, an oil painter, an interior designer, an aesthetic visionary, a collector of rocks, a gardener, a riveting storyteller, a gracious and welcoming host, and the list goes on.

Connie cultivated a friendly and vivacious personality throughout her life, easily befriending everyone she met. Even as she struggled with dementia in her final months, she remained bubbly and happy and drew people—both young and old—to her positive spirit.

Connie is survived by her husband, Deane Manbeck; children, Kevin (Angie) Manbeck, Krista Abrahams, and Keith (Tracey) Manbeck; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild; brothers Earl Brooks and James (Kathy) Brooks; and sister Nancy Stephen. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Delbert Brooks, sister Muriel Walker, and son-in-law Andrew Abrahams.

Connie will be dearly missed, but her spirit, creativity, and love will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home in Webster, WI. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com

Nutmeg Sticks

Connie Manbeck

6 dozen cookies

Cream--------------------------------1 cup butter

2 tsp vanilla

2 tsp rum

Add gradually-----------------------3/4 cup sugar

Blend in------------------------------1 egg

Sift together-------------------------3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp salt

Mix all ingredients together. Shape pieces of dough on sugared board into long rolls 1/2 inch in diameter. Cut into 3-inch lengths and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 12 to 15 minutes at 350° F. Cool. Spread Frosting on top and sides of cookies. Sprinkle lightly with nutmeg.

Frosting

Cream---------------------------------1/3 cup butter

1 tsp vanilla

2 tsp rum

Blend in-------------------------------2 cups confectioners’ sugar

2 tbsp cream

Beat until smooth and creamy.