Don J. BRUNSTEIN

BRUNSTEIN, INGHAM, SUNTKEN, HENAMEN, LARSON, MAGNER, JASPERSEN, KUHN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/21/2009 at 04:38:58

MESERVEY - Don J. Brunstein, 79, of Meservey, died peacefully on Friday (April 17, 2009) with his wife at his side following a courageous battle with cancer at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient in Mason City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 20, 2009, at the First Reformed Church, Meservey, with the Rev. Rodney Meester, officiating. Vistation will be from 3 until 5 p.m. today, Sunday, at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond and continue one hour prior to the service Monday at the church.

Don J. Brunstein, the son of John F. and Inez (Ingham) Brunstein, was born on Dec. 23, 1929, at Swaledale, Cerro Gordo County. Don was baptized on May 11, 1937. Don attended Mason City schools. He then enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served for six years before being honorably discharged at RECSTA, San Diego, Calif. During his military tenure, Don had spent time on the USS Bradford, which carried the distinction of being first ship fired upon in the Korean War Conflict. Don had received the United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Medal, China Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal (three stars). Upon returning to civilian life, Don, commenced a lifelong career in the grocery and produce profession. He had spent time during his career working at Hoxy Fruit and Produce in Mason City, Associated Grocers in Colorado, Wal-Mart Grocery Division in Omaha, and with Hy-Vee Food Stores. Don was united in marriage to Bonnie Suntken on May 25, 1968, at Denver, Colo. Throughout his entire life journey Don had a great enjoyment and passion for the people around him. Whether it was in the day to day happenings of spending time with his wife and children, or the precious opportunities on a fishing excursion with his children and grandchildren where Don relished the chance to teach them his love of fishing. Don's outgoing and friendly personality was a wonderful gift that surely brought a warm and welcoming feeling to the public he served in his years in the grocery business.

Don looked forward to nearly any event or social activity that allowed time for a good conversation, fellowship, and some reminiscing. He enjoyed the annual family reunions and other family gatherings. He always looked forward to afternoon coffee and get togethers with his many friends at Donna's Lounge in Meservey. He was always ready for a friendly, yet, competitive game of Uno, Canasta, Poker, of Mr. Joker cards with his friends and family. In earlier years of his life, Don enjoyed waterskiing and swimming. He loved animals and was especially fond of his dogs. Don had always enjoyed the outdoors and in later years had enjoyed birdwatching. Don was a past member of the VFW and American Legion during his years in Colorado and a member of the First Reformed Church in Meservey. Don's wife, children and grandchildren have wonderful memories of fishing trips to Canada and fishing treks to many other places in regions where they had lived. They fondly remember a family trip to tour Yellowstone and various other sights in the Western United States. They will miss Don's wonderful laugh and his unique sense of humor. Don had lived for 30 years in Colorado and eight years in Omaha, Neb., before returning to his North Iowa roots in Meservey, where he and Bonnie made their home the past three years. All who had the privilege of crossing in the path of Don's life journey will remember Don as being a very independent man who would rather place the focus on the needs and interests of others than on his own. They will miss his warm and friendly smile, his engaging personality, and his wonderful laugh. Many who saw him during the time of his battle with cancer were amazed at his strength and perseverance and his innate ability to put the focus of the conversation back on others rather than himself and his challenges in health. Even in his battle with cancer, Don's warm smile, the twinkle in his eyes, and his positive outlook shown through.

Don's memory will be carried forward in the lives of his wife and life partner of more than 40 years, Bonnie Brunstein, of Meservey; his daughters, Janan Brunstein, of Iowa City, Lynn and husband Dale Henamen, of Mason City, and Monica "Susie" Larson, of Gretna, Neb.; his four grandchildren, Olivia, Trevor, Jared, and Lily Larson, all of Gretna, Neb.; his three sisters, Betty Magner, of Mason City, Marlys Jaspersen, of Cedar Rapids, and Jackie Kuhn and her husband, Paul, of Phoenix, Ariz.; many cousins, nieces, nephews and countless friends. Don was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Tia Brunstein; his brother, Larry; and brothers-in-law, Lawrence Suntken, of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Leo Jaspersen, of Fremont, Neb. Andrews Funeral Home.

Mason City Globe Gazette, Iowa
April 19, 2009