Harry Bruns, of Montevideo, died Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar at the age of 90.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 10:30 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Montevideo. Rev. Jeff Fitzkappes will officiate and burial will be at Sunset Memorial Cemetery.
Visitation with the family will be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 from 5-7:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.
Harry Bruns was born on March 15, 1927 in Ericson Township, Renville County Minnesota to Dirk and Fannie (Stomberg) Bruns. He was the sixth child of nine. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian Faith. Harry attended school in District #142 and then Renville High School. In his senior year he went into the U.S. Navy for a short period of time as WWII was coming to an end. He would return to farm with his brothers for a few years and work for Farmer’s Union Oil Company. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and spent 18 months in Korea where he was decorated with the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge.
Harry was united in marriage to Frances Toupal at First Lutheran Church in Renville on August 25, 1956. Harry and Fran had three boys together: Steven, Mark and Gary. He became a State Farm Agent in 1961. The family later moved to Montevideo where he was an agent until he retired on October 1, 1990.
Harry felt strongly about being active in his church and his community. He served Trinity Lutheran Church on various boards as well as doing many odd jobs around the church. He was active as a leader for Boy Scouts, was a member of the VFW and American Legion, and the Kiwanis club. Feeling it was his privilege to give blood to the American Red Cross led him to donate over 15 gallons. Family was very important to Harry and he enjoyed attending his boys' and later his grandchildren’s school events. Harry enjoyed fishing and golfing and especially going to coffee with the American Legion Coffee Group. He will be remembered by many people as a man of faith, family, friendship, along with the ability to tell a good story, infectious smile and a twinkle in his eye.
Harry is survived by his wife of 61 years, Fran; his sons: Steven (Michele), Fort Meyer Beach, FL, Mark (Kelly), Woodbury, MN and Gary (Pam), Montevideo, MN; grandchildren: Sam Bruns, Derek Bruns, Caitlin Bruns, and Molli (Ryan) Tostenson; one sister Margie Bakker, Renville, MN; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers: John, Henry, Bennie, Andrew, and Leonard and two sisters: Dorothy and LuVern.
Blessed be his memory.