Henry “Hank” Bruns, age 93, of Ivanhoe, MN, passed away Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at the Hendricks Nursing Home in Hendricks, MN. Funeral service will be 11:00 am Friday, November 15, 2024 at Bethany-Elim Lutheran Church in Ivanhoe, MN. Burial will be in the West Elim Cemetery, rural Ivanhoe. Visitation will be Friday one hour prior to the service at the church. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Hendricks, MN is entrusted with the arrangements.
Henry Walter Bruns was born August 17,1931 to Andrew and Irene (Ebbinga) Bruns in Iona Township, Murry County, Minnesota. He was raised in the Iona area and attended the Wirock Country School through the 8th grade. He then worked on the family farm until he was drafted into the US Army and served two years in Germany. Hank was honorably discharged and returned home where he drove a milk truck. He was united in marriage to Betty Ann Bremer on April 15, 1956, in the Faith Lutheran Church in Avoca, MN. They lived in Fulda, Lake Wilson and Slayton, MN until 1959 when they moved to Ivanhoe, MN. Hank began working in maintenance for the Minnesota Department of Transportation where he worked for over 31 years. Betty Ann passed away on November 23, 2017. He remained at his home in Ivanhoe until entering the nursing home in Ivanhoe. He then moved to the Hendricks Nursing Home where he passed away on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at the age of 93. Hank was a member of Bethany-Elim Lutheran Church in Ivanhoe, MN where he served on the church council and as treasurer. He also served on the cemetery committee and volunteered his time mowing and the church and cemetery. He was also known for helping many as a handyman and fixed bicycles. Hank enjoyed bowling and was in the bowling league for 30 years. He loved to hunt, fish and do crossword puzzles.
He is lovingly remembered by his children: Clyde (Joy) Bruns of Marshall, Myra (Phil) Talbert of Shelby, NC and Lyle (Mary Kay) Bruns of Maplewood, MN; six grandchildren: Jennifer (Luke) Gregoire, Vicky (Parker) Freiss, Hannah (Kris) Hutchings-Bielaszja, Kendal Hutchings, Lorene (Josh) McGrane and Taylor (Jake Pederson) Bruns; two step grandchildren: Mathias (Lexi) Talbert and Thadius Talbert; six great-grandchildren: Jared, Gavin and Connor Gregoire, Paysen Freiss and Gideon and Arwin McGrane; brother Les (Barb) Bruns; sister Alice Johnson; and many nieces and nephews. Hank was preceded in death by his wife Betty Ann; parents; brothers: Andrew, Reiner, Walter and Herman; and sisters: Alma, Ilene and Grace.
