John Brunner

Its the end of an era - John Brunner passed away Tuesday night, joining his wife June in the afterlife.

In 1962, he opened Brunners Food Center in downtown Potosi , which continued for 45 years as a dependable grocery store and more. A true pillar of the community, Dad was deeply involved in the community of Potosi and beyond. He carried out countless acts of unassuming generosity, helping any and all. He was involved in VFW, Southwest Vocations Club, and a multitude of functions for the parish of Sts. Andrew-Thomas, both in the churches and school. Dad was a big-time booster for local sports both grade school and high school. In addition to fundraising, he and Mom were almost always at the Saints and Chieftain games, both home and on the road.

Dads influence on his family and friends will be only part of his legacy. He has passed on a deep appreciation of music and singing to his family and friends. He was enormously influential on his children and his peers, with a quiet strength and bottomless patience. In his everyday life, and spiritual life, Dad lived his life to be the change that he wanted to see in the world. His spirituality was his own, and if he encouraged you to come along, he was the very picture of subtlety.

Dad is survived by Mary Brown, Rose (Mike) Nett, Betsy (Mike) Kittoe, Greg ( Shari ), Julie (Jim) Caldwell, Bernadette, Gretta, Mike (Camille), Christy (Jeff) Pier, Rob, Ginny (Craig) Sacia. In addition to his biological children, there were countless friends who came to adopt him as a surrogate father, foremost among them Dianne Roelke. Grandchildren include Mike Brown; Liz, Mike (Jamie) & Tim Carney; Jordane (Sam) Ross, Sydney & Brooks Kittoe; Adame & Tavia Brunner; Jacquelyn, Jonathon, & Jenna Caldwell; Emory & Erich Thiemann; Kaitlyn & Ryan Brunner; Isabelle & Jaxson Pier; and Delaney & Rex Sacia; John is also survived by his siblings Sister J. Delores, Henry (Beatrice), Sister Virginia, Sister Mary Therese, Ruth Maier and Deacon Norbert (Marion). John was preceded in death by his wife June, sister Margaret and brother-in-law Joe Maier.

Visitation was from 2:00 to 4:00 on Friday, May 28 at St. Andrews Church, with Funeral Mass to follow. Military Honors were accorded by the Berg Averkamp VFW Post No. 5276 and the American Legion Post. 473, both of Potosi . A private burial was held at a later date.

Martin Funeral Home in Potosi is serving the family. The family would like to thank Southwest Health Center Hospice, especially Teri Steinhoff, RN, CHPN, for their gentle nature and attentiveness.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Retirement Fund of the School Sisters of St. Francis, 1501 South Layton Blvd. , Milwaukee WI 53215 , or to the Sts. Andrew-Thomas Endowment Fund, 101 Church St, Potosi WI 53820.