Brunner, Kurt - 1935-2024

BILLUPS, BRUNNER, FOX, GARTON, HEDWIG, HOPKINS, KOTHER, KRAMPE, LEWIS, LUST, MCDERMOTT, MEIER, RODE, SMITH, SUFFEL, SUNTKEN

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 10/17/2024 at 13:27:08

Kurt Brunner, 89, of Baxter, Iowa passed away on Monday, September 30, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family. A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. at Bethany United Church of Christ in Baxter. Immediately following visitation, his memorial service will begin at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Christopher Hayward officiating. Burial will follow in the Bethany Cemetery in Baxter.
Kurt was born on March 1, 1935, in Königsberg, East Prussia to Wilhelm and Hedwig (Meier) Brunner. He grew up in Germany and as a young kid he lived in a Russian orphanage during the war. He attended trade school where he played soccer in the city league. Kurt then began working at Tobler chocolate factory and worked his way up to manager. While working there he met the love of his life, Gisela Suffel. Gisela and Kurt were married on June 7, 1956, in Stuttgart, Germany. While visiting her sister in Baxter, Iowa they decided to move to the United States as well. In 1961, they moved to Baxter where they raised their family together.
Kurt was a member of Bethany United Church of Christ where he served as a deacon and treasurer for many years.
Kurt loved to spend time with his family. He was a true outdoorsman and loved fishing, mushroom hunting, trapping, bow hunting and fishing trips to Canada with family and friends. Kurt loved American football where he cheered for the Chicago Bears and the Iowa Hawkeyes. In baseball season he cheered on the Chicago Cubs. He also enjoyed his 4:00 p.m. happy hour.
Those left to cherish his loving memory are his children Uwe (Cindy) Brunner, Tonya Brunner, Angela (Randy) Lust, Andrea (Chris) Garton, and Anita (Jeff) Smith; grandchildren Malena (Nate) Billups, Nicholas (Jill) Brunner, Easton Brunner, Brandon Brunner, Mercedes Brunner, Andrew Hopkins, Brice Hopkins, Derek (Heaven) McDermott, Daniel (Maricruz) McDermott, Seth (Megan) Garton, Chelsea (Dustin) Fox, Stefan Garton, Deven (Taylor) Smith, Erin (Zach) Suntken, and Ryan Smith; 20 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; sisters Katie Lewis and Hilla Kother, brother-in-law Herbert (Paulette) Suffel; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Wilhelm and Hedwig, wife Gisela, infant son Walter, and grandson Lincoln Garton, brothers Hans and Walter (Crystal) Brunner, sister Lille Rode, sister-in-law Erika (Armin) Krampe.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Bethany United Church of Christ in Baxter.
Source: Fredregill Funeral Home website (Baxter, IA); October 4, 2024