Kenneth I. ‘Bud’ Bruns
Funeral services for Kenneth I. ‘Bud’ Bruns, 95, Lawrence, will be at 10 am Tuesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with Pastor Don Conrad officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Bud died Thursday, June 11, 2015, at Brandon Woods at Alvamar.
He was born Apr. 22, 1920, in Longford, Kan., the son of Jesse and Pearl Frasier Bruns. He graduated from Longford Rural High School, and later served in the United States Navy during World War II, and was at Pearl Harbor during the surprise attack on Dec. 7, 1941. Bud worked as a telephone technician for Southwestern Bell/AT&T for 36 years, retiring in 1984. He also changed the light bulbs in the old KLWN radio tower at 31st & Iowa St. He was a member and past president of the Lawrence Men’s Bowling Association, and a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the VFW. He enjoyed camping, traveling, poker, square dancing, and being a prankster.
Bud married Erma A. Sexton on July 7, 1956, in Abilene, Kan. She survives of the home. Other survivors include four children, Dean Bruns and wife Julie, McPherson, Randy Engle and wife Connie, Kansas City, Mo., Sharon Rose and husband Monte, Lawrence, and Rusty Bruns and wife Sheila, Baldwin City; a niece, Pam Rowson, Savage, Minn.; a nephew, Terry Owens, Denton, Tex.; ten grandchildren, Jayme, Michael, and Carolyn Bruns, Shawn and Joshua Engle, Kelle Rose, Laura Rose Clawson, and Cody, Cameron, and Caden Bruns; and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, LCDR Brian K. Bruns, and a sister, Opal VanMeter.
Friends may call from noon to 8 pm Monday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 6-7:30 pm. Memorial contributions are suggested to Honor Flights, Wildland Firefighters Foundation, or Trinity Lutheran Church, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.
Rusty and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Rusty & family – Sorry to learn of your loss. I only have great memories of your dad. He was always smiling and his sense of humor was hard to match. He will be missed my many. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Erma and family, we were so saddened to learn of Bud’s passing. Bud was a great co-worker and friend. We always enjoyed his humor and his stories. Erma, you were a wonderful care giver to Bud.
Because we are visiting our daughter in Virginia, we will not be able to attend the service on Tuesdsy. We will, however, be thinking of all Bud’s family and hope your memories will sustain you. Wayne & Sharon Rogers
Prayers and love sent to Erma and family! There are not enough words to describe how loving and kind Bud was. I will always think of when Erma was having her hair done and Bud came along. He told me stories of Pearl Harbor and I could have listened all day. I cant wait to hear more when I see him in heaven. He truly was a hero!
My buddy kennth bruns I’ll will miss his smile always lites up the dinnig room at lunch time and n halls always smilling never see him
Down I can hear him laughing lomg ways god bless robyn herzog
Erma, Rusty and families, I was saddened to read of Bud’s passing. So many memories tied to your family through Dad. Bud was one of a kind, with his infectious smile, and laughter. A great friend and will be sadly missed. May you find Peace in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and may His strength be yours. Gary Tollefson
Sounds like Mr. Bruns lived a full and important life. If he is anything like his daughter Sharon, he was also a saint. Condolences to Sharon and the whole family. Charlie Richardson