John Brunner

John Brunner passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 24, 2019 at the age of 84.  Loving husband of Mary Ann Brunner (nee Ritke) for 47 years.  Dear brother-in-law of Rita Brunner, Rita (Bruce) Johnson, Janet Millard, Jean (Carl) Franklin, Donna Gorden, Christine (AG) Thorgerson, Carol (Cam) Greene, Marcia Momose and Rebecca Ritke.  John will be dearly missed by his many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Richard.

Memorial Gathering at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin on Saturday, March 16 from 11:00 AM to 12:45 PM.  Memorial Service at 1:00 PM.  Memorial to InterHope Orphanages appreciated.  Thank you to Badger Hospice for their loving care of John.

John Brunner was born in Monroe, Wisconsin on October 29, 1934 to John Brunner Senior and Marie Schankel Brunner.  John had one brother, Richard, deceased.  John and Richard grew up and went to school in Monroe.  After graduation, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  He served from 1954 – 1957 on board the “Newport News”, traveling to and visiting several other countries.  While in the Navy, he attended a USO chapel service and realized that God wants a personal relationship with all people.  When he left the Navy, he enrolled in Milwaukee Bible College where he was involved as a tenor with the men’s chorus. John thought of possibly becoming a minister.  When he realized that wasn’t his calling, he thought he might teach.  In the end, he went to work for United Parcel Service, and then to Advance Transportation where he retired.

He met his wife, Mary Ann in 1970 and they married in 1972.  February 19 was their 47^th anniversary and they were able to celebrate that together.  In 1974, they purchased a home on 2 ½ acres across from Lake Denoon.  John was an avid water skier and taught Mary Ann after they met, so they enjoyed that together.  He also loved the birds and built bird houses and feeders to place around the yard.  He ground fed under a large willow tree and was thrilled to count 50 wood ducks that landed underneath it to eat.  Eventually, John and Mary Ann purchased the 2 ½ acres adjacent and since Mary Ann was a rider, built a small horse barn for her and her riding partner.  He loved his red truck and used that to haul hay and bedding for the horses.

In 2008, John realized it was time to downsize and he and Mary Ann purchased a condo in Waukesha.  In November of 2017 physical issues caused John to move to Elizabeth Residence in New Berlin where Mary Ann visited him on a daily basis.  On February 24^th, 2019, he rejoiced with the Angels in Heaven to be free of his physical limitations and passed.