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Submitted: 10/29/24 • Approved: 10/29/24 • Last Updated: 11/1/24 • R276362-G276342-S3
Carolyn Kay Bruns
August 4, 1943 - July 7, 2021
Carolyn Bruns, age 77, died on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in her home where she was surrounded by her family. A public visitation will be held on Sunday, July 11, 2021, at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory located in Sioux Falls. The visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM where memories will be shared at 4:30 PM.
Carolyn was born on August 4th, 1943, in Doon, Iowa, to her parents Earle and Henrietta (Finck) Rippentrop. She was raised in Sioux Falls, SD where she received her education and graduated from Washington High School in 1961. While attending a junior high dance at the Arkota Ballroom in Sioux Falls, Carolyn danced with the man she would spend the rest of her life with, William “Bill” R. Bruns. Carolyn and Bill were united in marriage on August 12, 1961, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Sioux Falls. After marriage, the couple moved to Vermillion, South Dakota where Bill studied and played basketball at the University of South Dakota. Carolyn worked various jobs while being Bill’s biggest cheerleader and in February 1963 she gave birth to their first child, Kathlene. Following Bill’s graduation in 1966, the couple was blessed with two more children William M. and Julie.
In 1975, the family made the move from Janesville, WI, to Sioux Falls, SD, where they would build their forever home on Grandview Avenue. Carolyn stayed home where she cared for her three children while they were in school. After her youngest, Julie began junior high, Carolyn went back to school at Southeast Technical College where she earned her degree in nursing. She worked for many years where she cared for others as an LPN at Avera McKennan Hospital and eventually at Avera Prince of Peace retirement community, until she retired in 2004.
Carolyn enjoyed fishing, spending time with her family at their cabin at Brant Lake, snowbirding in Arizona, playing bingo, trips to Las Vegas, reading countless mystery novels, crocheting, gardening, and so much more. Carolyn loved to do so many things, but above all, she loved her family. She cherished her time with her grandchildren and would do anything for them, always. Carolyn was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, who will be dearly missed by all.
Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, William R. Bruns, Sioux Falls, SD; daughter, Julie (Brandon) Nase, Hot Springs, SD; ten grandchildren, Shalene (Dusten) Hendrickson, Brookings, SD, Anna (Gregg) Rempe, Colman, SD, Linnea (Zach) Dicus, Pflugerville, TX, Levi (Emilee) Te Slaa, Sioux Falls, SD, Matthew Te Slaa, Brookings, SD, William B. (Lauren) Bruns, Sioux Falls, SD, Sidney Bruns, Crooks, SD, Kelsey Bruns, Crooks, SD, Jared Fox, Sioux Falls, SD, and Peyton Fox, Sioux Falls, SD; seven great-grandchildren, Aralynn, Aubryn, Beckham, Evelyn, Emma, Ella and Briar; four siblings, Marilyn (Ken) McKenzie, Spokane, WA, Steve (Barb) Goodbarn, Highlands Ranch, CO, Tom (Barbara) Goodbarn, Omaha, NE, and Sheryl (Mark) Tracy, Santa Rosa, CA; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathlene Te Slaa; son, William M. Bruns; and her mother, Henrietta “Tudy” Goodbarn.
Contributed on 10/29/24 by 9katz
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Record #: 276362