Gerald “Jerry” Bruning
COLERIDGE — Gerald “Jerry” Bruning, 71, Coleridge, died Feb. 13, 2022, at Providence Medical Center, Wayne.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Feb. 18, at 2 p.m., at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Coleridge, with the Rev. Owen Korte officiating. Burial will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Coleridge.
Visitation will be Thursday, at church, 5-7 p.m., and will continue Friday, at church, one hour prior to services. Pallbearers will be Mark Bruning, David Bruning, Bryan Wortmann, Jeff Haag, Brian Duering, Dennis Anderson and Dave Tuttle.
Honorary pallbearers will be all of Gerald’s grandchildren.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Coleridge.
Gerald “Jerry” Francis Bruning was born Nov. 9, 1950, at Yankton, S.D., to Vincent Frederick and Evelyn Marie (Suing) Bruning. He grew up on a farm southeast of Hartington and was a graduate of Hartington Cedar Catholic High School. Jerry was also a member of the U.S. Army Reserves from 1967-1971. Jerry married the love of his life, Marlyce Kay Smith, Jan. 8, 1972. They welcomed three children, Jeana, Jeremy and Joel.
Jerry saw himself as a “Jack of all Trades.” Throughout the years, he worked as an electrician, custodian and school bus driver, until he found his calling as an over the road truck driver. Jerry’s favorite thing to do was spend time with his family.
He enjoyed hunting, sitting around the campfire at the river, or going for side by side rides. He also enjoyed working with leather and creating his own custom walking sticks. Jerry also was a 10-year member of the Coleridge Volunteer Fire Department.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marlyce; three children, Jeana (Ed) Robinette, Coleridge; Jeremy (Mandy) Bruning, Coleridge; Joel (Amy) Bruning, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; five grandchildren, Tyler (Courtney) Robinette, Kaylee Robinette, Harper and Presley Bruning, Ethan Bruning, and one on the way; brother, Charles “Chuck” Bruning, Hartington; sisters, Carol Wortmann, Naples, Fla.; Dorothy (Robert) Haag, Mead; sisters-in-law, Carol Bruning, Hartington, and Nancy Bruning, Wisner; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Evelyn Bruning; three miscarried children; brothers, Jim, Darrell, Don, and an infant brother; brothers-in-law, Dave Wortmann and Rich Duering; mother and father-in-law, Alfred Clark and Evelyn Turena Smith.