Obituaries : Elnora A. Brunssen

Elnora Brunssen

Elnora A. Brunssen, 91, was called home Friday, March 9, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 13, at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Van Horne, with the Rev. David Lingard officiating. Interment will be at the Keystone Cemetery. Visitation also will be held at the church in Van Horne from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday.

Elnora was born Aug. 19, 1920, in Keystone, to John and Amanda (Breiholz) Anders. On Sept. 26, 1938, she was united in marriage to Roland Brunssen in Davenport. He preceded her in death on May 6, 1992.

She was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Van Horne. She loved playing cards, baking, and crocheting afghans for her family and others that considered her their “mom and grandma.”

Elnora is survived by six sons, Roger (Fran) Brunssen of Sacramento, Calif., Larry (Sandi) Brunssen of Cedar Rapids, Jerald “Butch” (Carol) Brunssen of Vinton, Sherman (Carolyn) Brunssen of Santa Maria, Calif., Gary (Rose) Brunssen of Dysart and Rick (Jacquie) Brunssen of Dubuque; four daughters, Shirley (Terry) Korb of Mesa, Ariz., Sandra (Robert) Thoren of Van Horne, Bonnie (Gene) Wardenburg of Dysart and Patricia (James) Sonka) of Van Horne; 23 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Ruby Bachman, Evelyn Schoelerman, Kathryn Brunssen, Lois Hain and Gladys Anders; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Roland, she was preceded in death by her daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Leonard Gerleman; four infant grandsons; her brother, Henry Anders; and her sister, Catherine Glieze.

Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone is in charge of arrangements.

A memorial fund has been established.

Condolences may be left at: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com