Patricia Bruns
Patricia A. Bruns, 66, of Waukon died Monday, March 21, 2022 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI. Memorial services will be held Friday, April 1 at 11 a.m. at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home Friday.
Patricia Ann Bruns was born June 2, 1955 in Waukon, the daughter of Herbert Theodore and Helen Verna (Johnson) Bruns. She attended school in Lansing and Waukon. Patricia had many challenges in her life due to a disability that stemmed from having spinal meningitis before her first birthday, which she spent in the hospital in Rochester, MN. This left her with paralysis on her right side and mental challenges.
Patricia adapted to these challenges by learning to do them in her own way, like figuring out the best way to get out of her chair with her hemi walker, carrying things, programming a remote, or figuring out her treasured flip phone that kept her in touch with family and friends. She lived at home with her mom, dad and sister until her parents passed away, and then her sister, Mary, became her caregiver.
Patricia enjoyed drawing, reading, visiting with family and friends, and loved her brother Bob’s riddles. She also liked to indulge in shrimp, peanut butter and green beans. Pat liked watching TV and LOVED watching Johnny Depp movies, like “Pirates of the Caribbean”; she talked non-stop about him - just ask anyone!
She loved dogs and cats, especially her cats, Sophie, Holly and Skylar; in fact, she called them her children. Patricia especially loved to laugh, joke and razz people. She would get a special look on her face when she was going to say something funny. Patricia had a great memory and could remember dates and events in good detail.
Patricia had been a resident of Good Samaritan Society in Waukon since January 2020 due to health issues and loved visiting with the other residents and caregivers. She made many friends along the way, loved getting razzed by the workers, and knew how to dish it back with a laugh! She had a very special friend she met there, a 102-year-old woman named Grace, and still had been corresponding with her after Grace left the home.
The workers with their love and care made her transition to the home so much easier on her and her family. She blossomed and they became her second family. A huge thank you to her Good Sam family! Patricia was so proud when she and another friend at Good Sam were named Valentine’s King and Queen and she received a crown, sash and silk flowers. This brought her lots of smiles, laughs, and it truly made her day!
Survivors include her siblings: Cheryl (Curt) Roe and Mary (special friend Shawn) Bruns, both of Waukon, Nancy (Bob) Sloup of Wahoo, NE, Ken (Kathryn) Bruns of Hartford, SD, Laurayne (DuWayne) Snitker of Waukon, Bob (Lori) Bruns of Hawley, MN, Ronn (Colleen) Bruns of Roger, MN and Linda (Charles) Albright of Independence; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two infant brothers, Steven Bruns and Richard Forkner; and a sister and her husband, Ronda and Wayne Thorstenson.
Urnbearers are her brothers, Ken, Bob and Ronn. Honorary urnbearers are her nieces and nephews and her caregivers at Good Samaritan Society.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
