Obituary of Vernon Irvin Brunsman

Vernon I. Brunsman, 89, of Dyersville, and formerly of New Vienna, passed away Sunday, February 19, 2017, at Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque peacefully with his family at his side. Visitation will be held from 2 – 8 pm, Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave SW in Dyersville where a parish vigil service will be held at 5 pm, and a VFW service will be held at 7 pm. Visitation will continue Thursday from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm at Kramer Funeral Home prior to funeral services. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 pm, Thursday, February 23, 2017, in St. Boniface Catholic Church, New Vienna, with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. John O’Connor will officiate. Military honors will be accorded by the Edward W. Lake V.F.W. Post 7736. Vernon was born February 14, 1928, in Luxemburg, Iowa the son of Otto and Clara (Hermsen) Brunsmann. He served in the US Army from 1951 – 1953, spending most of his time in Germany. After returning he met Norma Goedken at a dance in Petersburg. They were married Nov. 25, 1954, at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Petersburg. Together they began farming near Farley, and then moved to their farm west of New Vienna, raising hogs and dairy cattle. They remained on the farm for fifty years until retiring and moving to the Ellen Kennedy Living Center in 2011. He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Vienna and its Holy Name Society, the Swiss Valley Farms Dairy Cooperative, and the Edward W. Lake V.F.W. Post 7736. He was proud to have been on the Honor Flight to Washington, DC in September of 2013. He enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Norma, his children: Ron Brunsman of Hopkinton,Wayne (Denise) Brunsman of New Vienna, Phil (Betty) Brunsman of Farley, Janet Brunsman and Karen (Glen) Hahn, both of Dyersville, and Connie (Roger) Rivard of Bloomington, MN; grandchildren: Brian (Amy) Brunsman, Wade Brunsman, Brent (Joan) Brunsman, Ross (fiancé Liz Coyle) Brunsman, Maty (fiancé Adam McCarraher) Brunsman, Tracy (special friend Matt Kayser) Brunsman, Sara and Molly Hahn, Elizabeth, Regina, Jeremy, Angela and Therese Rivard; 7great-grandchildren; a sister, Inez Hoeger of Prairie du Chien, WI; in-laws: Inez (Francis) Hermsen of Manchester, Valeria Bockenstedt of Manchester, Laverne (Patsy) Goedken of Luxemburg, Carol (Dale) Clemen of Asbury, John (Marilyn) Goedken of Petersburg, Germaine Goedken of Dubuque and Marv (Jan) Rolfes of Colesburg; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a great-grandson Benjamin Brunsman, siblings: Alma Brunsmann, Louis Brunsmann, Ray Brunsmann; in-laws: Vincent Hoeger, Gilbert Goedken, Helen (Emil) Wilgenbusch, Stella (Leo) Demmer, Mary Lou (Elmer) Engelken, Irvin Bockenstedt, Patricia Rolfes. The family wishes to thank the staff and residents of the Ellen Kennedy Living Center for their care, concern and friendship over the last five years, and the staff at Mercy Medical Center Emergency Department. Memorials are preferred to St. Boniface Catholic Church or the Ellen Kennedy Living Center. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.