BETTY DURHAM BRUNER

Betty Lou Durham Bruner, 94 of Lakes Andes, went to her heavenly home Monday, June 30, at Lake Andes HealthcareCenter. Memorial mass was Monday, July 14 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Lake Andes. Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Lake Andes.

Betty, third of five children, was born to Clarence and Lillian (Petrik) Durham on September 13, 1930, in Geddes. She was very dedicated to her husband, children, grandchildren, friends, church, and community. She was involved with many activities, including St. Mark’s Altar Society and the American Legion Auxiliary. She attended elementary school at the Red, White, and Blue School near Geddes and graduated from Geddes High School in 1948.

Betty and Edwin Bruner were united in marriage at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Geddes on November 25, 1948. Four children were born to this union, Linda, E. John, Judy, and Barry.

Betty and Ed lived in Geddes until June 1969, when they moved to Lake Andes. Betty and Ed moved to the Lake Andes Senior Living Center in July 2022. Betty and Ed were inseparable. Their enduring love was demonstrated as they continually held hands at the dining table, when watching television in their room, and even when they rolled their wheelchairs down the hallway at the Senior Living Center.

Betty is described by many as sweet and friendly and was a loving mother and very proud grandmother. Betty was an excellent seamstress; enjoyed doing embroidery work and quilting; was an avid gardener of both flowers and vegetables; was a mechanic’s assistant (for her husband, Ed); was a “card shark” in some circles; and was a seasoned cook (her homemade ice cream was a family favorite).

Betty worked at the Geddes cafe, Buches in Lake Andes, and the Andes State Bank. Betty took her youngest daughter with her when she was on shift at the cafe. She had her daughter lay under the counter on one of the shelves during the busy lunch hours. One memorable year, Betty and her co-worker/ friend, Wilma Kisely, participated as “Betty Rubble” and “WilmaFlinstone”intheAndes Central homecoming parade. Betty and Ed were honored to be the parade marshals for the Lake Andes Fish Day parade. Betty spent countless hours dedicated to serving St. Mark’s Catholic Church. For multiple years, she authored and printed the church bulletin, assisted with the church finances, prepped the altar for masses, and coordinated many other activities at the church.

Betty is survived by her husband of 76 years; three of her four children: E. John of Winfred; Judy (Steven) of Arvada, CO; and Barry of Parker, CO. Betty was blessed to be the grandmother of 13 grandchildren, including 11 surviving grandchildren: Sara Hevle (Wayne Lentsch), Joshua D., Heather (Kelvin) Gessner, Heidi (Casey) York, Matthew Bruner, Abbie (Darren) Ward, Laura (Yoshihiro) Mitsuyama, Beth (Taylor) Gardner, Brian Helser, Brooke Bruner, and Charli Bruner. She had 17 great-grandchildren: Shelby (Coty) Alverson, Merissa (Chad) Stitz, MicKayla Hanzlik, Aidan Heimes, Emily and Austin Hevle, Mariliee Lentsch, Javin and Jackson Bruner, Mason and Cooper York, Isaac Bruner, Addison, Owen, and Asher Ward, Luke Mitsuyama, and Ethan Gardner. She was very blessed to be the great-great-grandmother of six: Wesley, Grady, and Bodey Alverson, Kalvin Hanzlik, Jordann Spielman, and Rylan Cook. She is survived by two brothers, Clarence “Buzz” (Donna) Durham and Richard Durham (Billee Thompson), as well as many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her daughter, Linda Bruner; her granddaughters Amy Fox and Melissa Hevle-Heimes; sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Elvern Varilek; sister-inlaw, Betty Durham; her brother and sister-in-law, Mervin and Carol Durham; and in-laws, Robert and Lorraine Bruner; Tom and Leona Bruner; and Richard and Sharon Bruner.

Memorials may be given to St. Mark’s Catholic Church or rodeo charity “Show Me the Ropes”.