Obituary of James Brunkan

SAND SPRINGS, IOWA James A. Brunkan, age 84, and his wife, Bernice R. Brunkan, age 80, of Dyersville, Iowa, formerly of Sand Springs, Iowa, died Tuesday, March 4, 2003, as the result of a motor vehicle accident. Friends may call from 2 -8:00 p.m. Friday, March 7, 2003, at the Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a Knights of Columbus Council 1863 Rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. and a parish scripture service will be held at 8:00 p.m. Friends may also call after 9:00 a.m. Saturday at the church. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2003, at St. Luke's Catholic Church, Hopkinton, Iowa, with burial in St. Francis Cemetery, Dyersville, Iowa. Jim was born on October 25, 1918, in Dyersville, Iowa the son of Anton and Mary (Heiring) Brunkan. Bernice was born on April 13, 1922 in Holy Cross, Iowa, the daughter of William and Ruth (Weber) Meyer. Jim and Bernice were married on September 22, 1941 in Worthington, Iowa. They farmed near Sand Springs until 1963 when they became the owners and operators of the Sand Springs Station until they retired. Jim was also a salesperson for Moorman Feed Co. Jim and Bernice were active members of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sand Springs for many years, and most recently members of St. Luke's Catholic Church in Hopkinton. Jim was a member of the Monticello Knights of Columbus Council 1863 and the Worthington Catholic Order of Foresters Court 607. Bernice was a member of the Altar & Rosary Society. They were devoted to their children and grandchildren. They loved gardening and always enjoyed playing cards with their friends. Survivors include four sons: William (Barbara) Brunkan of Davenport, IA, Thomas (Cathe) Brunkan of Sioux City, IA, James Brunkan of Belton, MO, Steven (Janet) Brunkan of Meridan, KS; two daughters: Susan (Larry) Genalo of Elkhart, IA and Sharon Brunkan of Garner, IA; eleven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; Jim is survived by one sister, Stella Hogan, of Columbus, MT; four brothers: Robert (Fran) Brunkan and David (Marian) Brunkan, both of Dyersville, IA, Msgr. Walter Brunkan of Greene, IA, and Richard (Colette) Brunkan of Elmgrove, WI; a brother-in-law, Richard Schmaltz of Dubuque, IA. Bernice is survived by a sister, Agnes Kintzle, of Manchester, IA. Jim was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Jean Schmaltz. Bernice was preceded in death by a brother, Gerald Meyer, and a sister, Mary Reynolds