Graveside services for 96-year old Phyllis Bruns of Rushville, NE, are Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 2:00 at Fairview Cemetery in Rushville.
Visitation will be Wednesday, October 20, from 1:00 – 6:00 at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron.
A memorial has been established for the Rushville Ambulance Fund and St Jude’s Children Hospital. Donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.
Online condolences may be left at www.chamberlainchapel.com
Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in Charge of Arrangements for Phyllis Bruns.
Phyllis was born Phyllis Marie Parks on July 8, 1925 to John and Mary Opal Reno Parks in a small house north of Hay Springs, NE. She departed this life on Oct 16, 2021, at Gordon Memorial Hospital in Gordon, NE, at the age of 96.
Phyllis grew up in Beaver Valley north of Hay Springs, where she and her parents, grandmother and uncle lived in a small house they built on land homesteaded by her grandmother. She attended elementary school at the South Beaver School where she walked to school across the hills.
Phyllis attended Hay Springs High School graduating in 1942, the same year she was united in marriage to PFC Wayne Bruns in Gordon on May 23. Three children were born to this union: Loren, Ronald and Marilyn.
Phyllis and Wayne began their married life by moving to Crawford because Wayne was stationed at Fort Robinson, then moved onto the post itself with Phyllis finding work as a housekeeper for one of the Army doctors.
After the war, the family moved to a farm northwest of Rushville where they built the house that was to be their home for 30 years. Phyllis told stories of how they survived the ’49 blizzard with 2 small children and no way to get to town.
In 1978, Phyllis and Wayne moved into town. Phyllis treasured “the big yellow house on Heston” that was often filled with her children and grandchildren, with room for all. Wayne passed away in 1992 and Phyllis lived alone on Heston St for another 27 years, enjoying friends and spending many hours on the phone or over a cup of coffee.
Phyllis finally moved in 2019 from Heston Street to Parkview Assisted Living, where she had frequently visited and made many friends before and after becoming a resident herself.
Phyllis will be remembered for her dry wit which helped her dining table at Parkview earn the nickname The Golden Girls. Everyone who knew her knew her love of the color purple, which she enjoyed having all around her.
Phyllis was a beautiful seamstress, and taught herself to crochet. Over the years, she made many, many afghans, which she really enjoyed giving to family and friends. Phyllis was sharp and independent, meeting challenges head-on.
In later years, she often declared “this getting old is not for the young people,” but her 96 years gave her family and friends, many memories to treasure.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Wayne, her son Ronald, and great-granddaughter Baby Laurie.
Phyllis is survived by her children, Loren and wife Sheila of Lake Havasu City, AZ, Marilyn Schumacher and husband Jerry of Chadron, NE, and daughter-in-law Judi Bruns (Ronald) of Cortez, CO.
She’s also survived by grandchildren Laurie McGrath (Rob) of Austin, TX, Ryan Bruns (Dawnn) of Syracuse, UT, Kerrie Bruns Juarez of Brea, CA, Mindi Irvin of Grand Junction, CO, Scott Bruns(Sarah) of Nashua, NH, Kacy Spruell (Jason) of Cortez, CO, 20 great-grandchildren who live on the east and west coasts and in between with one in Russia, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.