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BRUNK, Hazel 1905-1993

BRUNK, ANDERSON, SPONG

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 1/3/2011 at 08:41:49

Hazel H. Brunk, 87, of Grundy Center, passed away on January 11 at the Grundy Care Center where she had resided for the past two months.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, January 23, at Sheller Cemetery in Melrose Township, Grundy County at 11 a.m. A memorial service will follow at the Ivester Church of the Brethren in rural Grundy Center at 1:30 p.m. Pastor Marlene Neher will officiate.

Hazel was born August 18, 1905, in Enterprise, Kansas, the daughter of Rev. Eric and Emma (Anderson) Spong. The family lived in Enterprise and Topeka, Kansas where she attended school, graduating from Concordia High School in 1923.

Hazel was united in marriage to David Elmer Brunk on August 6, 1926, in Topeka, Kansas following which the couple went to Honolulu, Hawaii where her husband began a 40-year teaching career.

Hazel attended the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, graduating from the two-year teachers course in 1928. Hazel and Elmer taught 2 years in Hilo, Hawaii and then returned to Honolulu where Hazel received her BA degree from the University of Hawaii in 1931. She did graduate work at the University of Hawaii and Columbia University. She taught 30 years in Honolulu and retired as a junior high math and science teacher in 1965 where her husband retired.

In 1966 the couple moved to Grundy Center to enjoy retirement close to family and other relatives. The retirement years meant they were free to travel to many parts of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands. In 1986 they moved to the Cedars retirement village in McPherson, Kansas. She returned to Iowa this past summer.

Hazel was a member of the Ivester Church of the Brethren in Grundy County and when living in Hawaii was a member of the Central Union Church and national and Hawaii education associations.

She was preceded in death by her husband, D. Elmer Brunk on January 16, 1990; one brother, Larence Spong; two sisters, Linnea Johnson, and Bernice Major.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Ronald and LaDonna Brunk of rural Eldora; three grandchildren, Linnea and Jay Nicholson of Manhattan, Kansas, Steven and Tara Beck Brunk, and Karin Brunk of North Manchester, Indiana; and three sisters, Hilvid Skidmore and Van Martinson of Port Hueneme, California; and Ferne Holt of Bristol, Connecticut.

The Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home of Grundy Center was in charge of the funeral arrangements.


 

Grundy Obituaries maintained by Tammy D. Mount.
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