Bruening, Juanita Rose (Schlee) 1941 - 2015

BRUENING, SCHLEE, ZWEIBOHMER, MASIAS, WHALEN, SCHMITT, NELSON, MUSSAW, CHRISTOPHER, HALVERSON, KIRCHNER, SCHIERHOLZ, NEEDLES, LANGRECK

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/30/2015 at 16:53:19

Juanita “Nita” Rose Bruening, 73, of Decorah, took her last earthly breath surrounded by her family Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. The look of peaceful release on her face as she drew her last breath will never be forgotten and holds promise of what is to come for those surviving her. Though Nita’s light never faded, this world has somehow dimmed without her in it. A Celebration of Life was at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, with Rev. Doug Bryce and Chaplain Brad Wysomierski officiating. Music was “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (CD) and “I Can Only Imagine” (CD). Honorary loved ones were Nita’s three sons-in-law: Mark, Joe and Tim; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Sarah, Jenny, Taylor, Amber, Jamie and Aubrey Diamond, Gabi, Serena, Kale, Riley and Anthony and Nita’s special nephew, David Bruening. It was Nita’s wishes to be cremated.

Juanita “Nita” Rose (Schlee) Bruening was born Oct. 9, 1941, in Castalia, the fourth child of Leonard and Olivia (Zweibohmer) Schlee. Within this family, Nita was blessed with the love of seven siblings which filled their loving home with joy, contagious laughter, strength and faith, and a bond that still exists today. Nita graduated from Mabel High School in 1960. She was united in marriage July 14, 1962, to Darrell Bruening in Decorah. To this union, three daughters were born: Debbie, Darcy and Denise. Nita and Darrell moved to Darrell’s family farm in Bluffton, where they made their home. While raising their three girls, Nita kept the farm records and was district secretary and “mini bus” driver for the North Winneshiek School District. Nita and Darrell divorced in 1979; however they kept a treasured friendship bond throughout the years. Nita experienced many paths and journeys which lead her to Cedar Rapids and Denver and Colorado Springs, Colo., where she held various accounting positions, enjoyed sisterly bonds, love, many friends and the majesty of the Colorado mountains. Nita’s heart lead her back to beautiful Decorah in 1991, where she found the compassion to provide loving quality care to the elderly, by offering home care, preparing delicious meals at the Senior Citizen Center, then retiring in 2009 from the Winneshiek Medical Center. Nita’s beauty flowed from her beautiful appearance to the depths of her heart and soul. She was an enormously kind and creative spirit with a curiosity for life and she held a deep devotion to her faith. She lived life to the fullest and was a friend to many. Her loving heart, beautiful smile, vibrant laugh and humor are what define “our Nita.”

Juanita is survived by her three daughters: Debbie (Mark) Masias, Colorado Springs, Colo., Darcy (Joe) Whalen, Decorah and Denise (Tim) Schmitt, Cresco; six grandchildren: Sarah (Alan) Nelson, Jenny (Ethan) Mussaw, Taylor Masias, Amber (Chance) Christopher, Jamie Whalen and Aubrey Whalen (special friend, Tony); six great-grandchildren: Diamond, Gabi, Serena Rose (named after Grandma Nita Rose) and another Nelson baby expected this fall, Kale, Riley and Anthony; her seven siblings: John (Jean) Schlee, Postville; Audrey Halverson, Decorah; Lois (Ken) Halvorson, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Judy Bruening, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Betty (Ervin) Kirchner, Bloomington, Minn.; Kathy Schierholz, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Sharon Needles, all of Decorah; along with many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews.

Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard Schlee, March 26, 2002 and Olivia (Zweibohmer) Schlee, July 18, 2006; twin sisters, Joan Catherine and Jane Carol; one great-niece, Miranda Langreck; one brother-in-law, Wes Halverson.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Aase Haugen Senior Services, 4 Ohio Street, Decorah, IA, 52101, or to St. Croix Hospice, 951 North Linn Avenue, New Hampton, IA, 50659.

A sincere thank you and appreciation goes to Dr. Coppola and his wonderful team, Jenny and Sam. Dr. Coppola not only provided wonderful care and special prayers, he brought a twinkle to Mom’s eyes and a tug to her heart. In addition, a heartfelt thanks to Aase Haugen Senior Services and St. Croix Hospice Teams for all the dedicated, loving, and supportive care they provided to Nita and her family.

Source: Decorah Newspapers January 27, 2015

Juanita "Nita" Bruening, age 73, of Decorah, IA, died on Thursday, January 22, 2015, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah, IA.

A Celebration of her Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Sunday, January 25, 2015, at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue, Decorah, IA. There will be a visitation after 1:00 p.m., until the time of service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Aase Haugen Senior Services, 4 Ohio Street, Decorah, IA, 52101, or to St. Croix Hospice, 951 North Linn Avenue, New Hampton, IA, 50659.

Juanita is survived by her three daughters: Debbie (Mark) Masias, Colorado Springs, CO, Darcy (Joe) Whalen, Decorah, IA, and Denise (Tim) Schmitt, Cresco, IA. Six grandchildren and six great grandchildren: Sarah (Alan) Nelson, and their children; Diamond, Gabi, Serena Rose (named after Grandma Juanita Rose) and another Nelson baby due in August, Jenny (Ethan) Masias, Taylor Masias, Amber (Chance) Christopher, and their children: Kale and Riley, Jamie Whalen, and Aubrey (special friend, Tony) and their son, Anthony. Seven siblings: John (Jean) Schlee, Postville, IA; Audrey Halverson, Decorah, IA; Lois (Ken) Halvorson, Colorado Springs, CO; Judy Bruening, Colorado Springs, CO; Betty (Ervin) Kirchner, Bloomington, MN; Kathy Schierholz, of Colorado Springs, CO; and Sharon Needles, all of Decorah, IA, along with many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Juanita was preceded in death by her parents; Leonard Schlee on March 26, 2002 and Olivia (Zweibohmer) Schlee on July 18, 2006. Twin sisters: Joan Catherine and Jane Carol; one great- niece: Miranda Langreck; one brother-in-law: Wes Halverson.

Source: Schluter - Balik Funeral Home database

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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