Bruns, Rochelle Lynn (Gerken) (1969 - 2020)

BRUNS, GERKEN, ESSMAN, GEERDES

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 10/18/2020 at 14:41:20

Name of deceased: Rochelle Lynn Bruns (nee Gerken)

Aged: 51 yrs, 6 mo, 25 days

Residence: Elk Horn, Shelby County, IA

Born: March 6, 1969; Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital, Rock Rapids, Lyon County, IA

Died: Oct. 1, 2020; Cass County Memorial Hospital, Atlantic, Cass County, IA

Funeral services: Celebration of Life: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020; Exira-EHK Spartan Football Field, Exira, IA; private family inurnment was in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, Clay Township in rural Elk Horn, Shelby County, IA

Survived by: Husband of 24 years, Matt Bruns of Elk Horn, IA; sons, Cole Bruns of Spirit Lake, IA, and Cade Bruns (significant other, Jacey Anthofer) of Ankeny, IA; parents, John and Beverly (nee Essman) Gerken of George, IA; siblings, Roxanne (spouse, Todd) Geerdes of Brandon, SD, and B.J. (spouse, Sasha) Gerken of George, IA; father-in-law, Raymond Bruns of Britt, IA; brothers-in-law, Brian (spouse, Alice) Bruns of Sioux City, IA, Dirk (spouse, Carol) Bruns of Mason City, IA, Eric (spouse, Ellen) Bruns of Britt, IA, and Wade (spouse, Vari) Bruns of Fruitland, IA; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Mother-in-law, Marilyn Bruns

Education: Attended the George (IA) Community Schools and graduated with the Class of 1987. She then studied at Morningside College, Sioux City, IA, graduating in 1991 with a Bachelors’ Degree in Elementary Education.

Religious affiliation: Baptized and confirmed at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, George, IA; she was later a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton, IA.

Military service: n/a

Marriage: Matthew Bruns; Aug. 17, 1996; Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, George, IA

Employment: After completing her degree, Rochelle taught 6th grade at Bonesteel-Fairfax School in Bonesteel, SD for 2 years. In 1993, she accepted a position in Elk Horn, IA, and taught 4th grade; she also coached both volleyball and track. Rochelle continued to teach at the Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton School, Elk Horn, IA, while she also studied at Iowa State University and earned her master’s degree in School Administration in 2009. She then became the Elementary Principal at the Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton School. She was also a member of the Elk Horn Fire and Rescue for more than 20 years, and worked part-time at the Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn, IA.

Hobbies/Interests: Enjoyed gardening and canning; quilting (each year she created a quilt with her 4th grade students); was a coach for both volleyball and track at the schools; enjoyed watching her sons participate in their many activities

Sources: kjan.com; kesslerfuneralhomes.com