Elsie M. Bruenger, 89, Humboldt, died Friday, Aug. 5, 2011, at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute.
She was born Feb. 1, 1922, on the family farm east of Humboldt, the daughter of Louis Fred and Agnes Margaret (Mueller) Bruenger. Until her health failed, she lived on the same family farm all of her life. She attended Center Grove Rural School, studied music and attended classes later at Allen County Community College.
She worked in retail clothing most of her life. She worked for Helen Lacy at a clothing store in Humboldt that she and her sister later purchased. She worked as a sales clerk and bookkeeper for John Hatch for a number of years. She also cared for her mother until her death and later cared for her brother, Russell, until his death.
She was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Humboldt, where she was baptized and confirmed. She was a charter member of the Lutheran Guild, Mission of Love Quilting Club, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and served as chairperson of St. Peter’s 125th Celebration. Elsie also had been active in the Humboldt B.P.W., women’s bowling league and attended the “Old Hens” club of farmers’ wives.
She is survived by a brother, Melvin L. Bruenger and his wife, Patricia, Humboldt; a sister-in-law, Verna Bruenger, Humboldt; seven nieces and nephews and a number of great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Humboldt. The Rev. David E. Meier will officiate. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Humboldt. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer’s Association and may be left at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
Elsie Bruenger
