Bruening, Edward Joseph -- 1910 - 2011

BRUENING, NIENHAUS, HOMEWOOD, WILSON, CORCORAN, LEONHART, DOTY, CHRISTOPHERSON, DUESEL, MASIAS, WHALEN, JOHNSON, OTT, GOTLIEB

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 6/24/2012 at 13:31:19

Edward “Ed” Bruening, age 101, of Decorah, IA, died on Friday, June 10, 2011, at Wellington Place in Decorah, IA.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Bluffton, IA, with Rev. Dennis Cahill presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, and after 9:30 a.m., at the church on Tuesday morning.

Edward Joseph “Pappy” Bruening was born on April 28, 1910, the son of August and Mary (Nienhaus) Bruening, in rural Festina, IA. Edward attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Festina and in his early years, helped farm with his family and did construction work. He married Amy Homewood on Nov. 10, 1932, in Mason City, IA, and to this union five children were born: Melvin, Rita, Kenny and twins: Dale and Darrell. In 1936, the family moved to Bluffton, where he farmed and owned the Bluffton Store. They sold the store in the 60's. After his wife, Amy died in 1978, he moved to Elk City, Oklahoma in 1980 and lived with his sister, Augusta Corcoran. He married Leona Wilson on Oct. 13, 1980 in Wheeler, TX. Ed and Leona moved to Bluffton for a short period from 1981-82 with them returning to Elk City, OK. Leona died in 2002, and Ed returned to Decorah and had resided at Wellington Place until his death. Pappy was a proud husband and family man, and enjoyed being with his family. The love of farming the family farms, especially with his sons, was his pride and joy. He was a "John Deere" farmer and enjoyed operating the "John Deere" green and yellow tractors and equipment. He loved going dancing, playing cards, joking around and spending time at the Bluffton Store visiting with neighbors. Pappy was known for always putting in a hard days work, wearing bib-overalls and having black licorice and candy in the front pockets, and always picking on his grandchildren.

Ed’s survivors include his twin sons: Dale (Shirley) Bruening, Cedar Rapids, IA, and Darrell (special friend, Gretchen Troge) Bruening, Decorah, IA. One daughter-in-law: Betty Bruening, Decorah, IA. Eleven grandchildren: Cindy (Fred) Leonhart, Bonnie (Joe) Doty, Dennis (Karen) Christopherson, David (Susan) Bruening, Trisha (Kyle) Duesel, Todd (Linda) Bruening, Tiffany Bruening, Debbie (Mark) Masias, Darcy (Joe) Whalen, Denise (fiance, Tim Schmitt) Bruening, and Jed (Michelle) Johnson, along with twenty-five great grandchildren, and eight great great grandchildren. One brother-in-law: Jerry (Diane) Homewood, Waterloo, IA, several nieces and nephews, along with his "Wellington Place" family.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents: August and Mary (Nienhaus) Bruening. Two wives: Amy (Homewood) Bruening and Leona (Wilson) Bruening. Two sons: Melvin Bruening on Nov. 24, 2007 and Kenneth Bruening on Jan. 22, 1984. One daughter: Rita Ott in Dec. 25, 2001. Two grandchildren: Craig on May 21, 2006 and Jackie Ott. Two brothers: Leo and Hugo Bruening. Three sisters: Augusta Corcoran, Catherine Gotlieb, and Winifred Bruening in infancy.

"It is with sincere appreciation that the family extends a very special thank you to all the loving staff of Wellington Place for all the years of loving and dedicated care and friendship they so heartwarming gave to Ed."

Source: Schluter - Balik Funeral Home database

St. Bridget’s Catholic cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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