Obituary of Marian Catherine Brunkan

The family of Marian C. Brunkan, 92, of Dyersville is saddened to announce her passing on July 27, 2024, at Mercy One Senior Care. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. All who knew Marian will miss her beautiful smile. Her life was a blessing, our memories a treasure.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Francis Xavier Basilica on August 1st at 1:00 pm. Visitation will precede mass from 9:30-12:30 at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville.

She was born to Marie (Ferring) and Art Lueck on September 12, 1931 in Petersburg.  After graduation from Immaculate Conception Academy in Dubuque, Marian was employed at the Dyersville National Bank. She married her husband, Dave, on September 8th,1954 and together they had six daughters.  

More than anything, Marian was a devoted mother. She loved spending time with her family and friends and enjoyed sharing stories around the kitchen table. She was always there to offer guidance, support and encouragement no matter what challenges they faced. In her free time Marian enjoyed reading, decorating, sewing and shopping with her daughters and granddaughters. She was an active member of her community and church, volunteering at the Dyer House and acting as coordinator of the Hospital Auxiliary Cookie Walk. She participated in the Parish Marriage Preparation Program and was a member of the Mother’s Club. Along with her husband Dave, she was honored as the Lion’s Club Citizen of the Year in 2017.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of nearly 70 years, Dave, daughters Linda (William) Benge of Lake Forest, Il; Jane (John) Dierksen of LaVerne, CA; Mary Pat (Jeff) Rediger of Gurnee, IL; Beth (Jeff) Frericks of Libertyville, IL; Susan (Thomas) Rogan of Greenwood Village, CO; and Sarah (David) Lippe of Brentwood, TN, eighteen grandchildren: Andrea Wagner, David and Alina Benge; Claire and Sarah Dierksen; Tony Rediger, Megan Turbeville, Emily Furmanski; Jonathan and Lauren Frericks; Maggie Heppard, Will, Meredith and Charlie Rogan; Jack, Sam, Joseph, A.J. Lippe and was blessed with twelve great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Mary Jane (Chuck) Boerner, and Lillian (Mert) Jasper, in-laws: Colette (Richard) Brunkan, Robert Brunkan, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by grandson Thomas Rogan Jr., her parents, her in-laws: Anton and Mary Brunkan, brothers: David and Dennis Lueck; sister, Helen (Witte) Bartels, in-laws: Father Walter Brunkan, Sandy Lueck, Marilyn Lueck, Pat and Stella (Brunkan) Hogan, MaryJean (Brunkan) Schmaltz, Jim and Bernice Brunkan, Frances Brunkan, John Witte, Dale Bartels, Mert Jasper, Richard Brunkan and nephew Mark Hogan.

The family would like to thank Mercy One Senior Care and Hospice of Dubuque for the loving, tender care Marian received. 

Memorials are preferred to your favorite charity

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family and information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com.  Memorials may be sent to the family, (in care of Kramer Funeral Home) 750 12^th Ave SW, Dyersville, IA 52040.