Herman Friederich Bruns (1864-1945)

BRUNS, SCHRADER, CLINGAN, GOELDNER, KRACHT, KOCH, CASSENS, BAKEHOUSE

Posted By: John Bruns (email)
Date: 4/2/2020 at 15:34:32

Herman Bruns, aged 80 years, died at the Sigourney hospital last Sunday evening at 6:05 o'clock from heart failure due to pneumonia and a skull fracture, resulting from a fall down the basement steps at his home on April 6. He had been in a critical condition ever since his injury, although his condition improved for a short time.

Mr. Bruns was born in Plank Township on October 29, 1864, and was one of seven sons of Mr. and Mrs. Dietrich William Bruns. He was a lifetime resident of Keokuk County, although he had made several trips to different points in the United States.

As a youth, he attended Stony Point school and was confirmed in the old German Brick Church, later known as the Sunny Ridge Chapel. Later he became a member of the Evangelical Church, retaining his membership there until about 30 years ago when he became a member of the Presbyterian Church.

On February 4, 1886, he was united in marriage to Margaret Schrader. They started housekeeping in Plank Township on their farm where they son, Henry now lives and remained there until Mr. Bruns retired and they moved to Sigourney in 1922. Mr. Bruns always retained his interest in the soil and was well known as a gardener.

The couple became the parents of five children, three daughters and two sons. Preceding Mr. Bruns in death were his wife, in October 1922, and two daughters, Mrs. William Clingan on April 25, 1921, and Mrs. Lena Goeldner, on September 9, 1944.

Surviving him are one daughter, Mrs. Emil Kracht of Sigourney; two sons. D.W. Bruns and Henry Bruns of Sigourney; eight grandchildren, Sgt. Ernest Bruns, now in Dutch New Guinea, Ralph and Esther Bruns of Sigourney, Mrs. Kenneth Koch of Ollie, Raymond Bruns, farmer near Sigourney, Cpl. Dean R. Kracht, stationed at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, LeRoy H. Kracht, Seaman First Class, with the Navy in the South Pacific and Mrs. Harvey Cassens of Sigourney, and nine great-grandchildren.

Also, living are two brothers, August Bruns of Sigourney and Charley Bruns of Ames. Four brothers, Louis, William, Fred, and John, preceded him in death.

The funeral service was held on Tuesday afternoon at the Presbyterian Church, conducted by the Rev. Roy A. Wilson, pastor. Burial was made in the West Cemetery. Casket bearers were six nephews, Frank, Fred, Ed, Albert, and Elmer Bruns and Archie Bakehouse.