Obituary of Richard L. Brunner

Born 11/4/1924 in Tacoma, WA and passed away 3/17/2009 in Tacoma, WA. He was the only son with five sisters of Louis and Bertha Brunner. Richard attended Sacred Heart Grade School and later graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma, WA in 1943 and immediately enlisted in the US Army. He proudly served our country under General Plank throughout the European Theatre during WWII. After the war, attended the University of Washington majoring in Business. He met his future bride Colleen McGuire while attending a dance at the Spanish Castle in Midway, WA. They married in 1947 and were together 56 years. Richard moved his family to Aberdeen, WA, Heppner, OR, Baker, OR, Pasco, WA where he managed J.C. Penney Stores. He then opened 3 variety and fabric stores in Des Moines, WA later in his career he worked for the US Postal Service where he retired. He worked with cancer support group, special friends groups at St. Philomena’s Catholic Church, and worked with the homeless at Catholic Community Services. We have fond memories of mom and dad’s passion for dancing with family, friends and their dance club. He was a miracle 20 year survivor of pancreatic cancer and we’ve been blessed with his presence. Richard is survived by 6 children, Colleen (Joe) Widden, Rick Brunner, Cathy (Larry) Reppar, Michele (Mike) Corey, Nicole (Ron) Hansen, Tom (Susan) Brunner; 20 grandchildren, Frank, Dominick, Anna, Chip, Casey, Catherine, Trish, Michele, Meleah, Miranda, Michael, Marc, Breana, Nicholas, Brittany, Chris, Amber, Courtney, Danielle, Brendan; 7 great-grandchildren, Christine, Ellie, A.J., Marlo, Isaac, Cameron, Tristan; and sister, Marie Thomas. Preceded in death by his wife Colleen in 2004. Rosary to be held 7PM Monday, 3/23 at St. Philomena Catholic Church, 1790 S. 222nd St., Des Moines, WA 98198. Mass to follow at 11AM Tuesday, 3/24, interment to follow services at Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery. Donations can be made to American Cancer Society or Autism Center (astarcenter.org) Arrangements by Edwards Memorial Center 253-566-1008. To view video tribute click on the followin link below: http://videos.lifetributes.com/59517