Family and community are honoring the life of Ken Bruning, a World War II veteran and one of the area’s oldest residents, who passed away July 14 at the age of 102.

Bruning was a lifelong resident of Warren County, raised with eight brothers and sisters on their family farm. At age 24, he was drafted into the Army, leaving his wife Idele to serve as a driver in the 8th Armored Division in the European Theater. After returning home, Bruning worked as a farmer and manufacturer.

Family and friends are remembering Bruning for his great love of telling stories, his always-positive outlook and his dedication to community service. He spent decades of his retirement volunteering for the Agape charity and was a driver for Meals on Wheels until he was 95. He also was an educational volunteer for Old Threshers programs and Duetsch Country Days and provided his time to other community groups.

Bruning’s daughter, Joy Dufrain, said her father always felt blessed in life. Even though he never had much money, he always had enough, so he always gave of his time and effort to help those who were less fortunate, Dufrain explained. She hopes the community remembers her father’s kind spirit, that he never spoke ill of anyone and always chose to set a good example through his deeds, not his words. 

She added that anyone who knew him likely has a collection of stories from him that he loved to tell. One she likes to recall is how her father and mother were married for a month before anyone in their family found out. Bruning liked to accompany this story with a joke that he married Idele for her money — he only had $5 when they were wed, and she had $7.

As far as his wartime service, Dufrain said her father never liked to draw much attention to it. He wasn’t a combat soldier, and so believed many others deserved recognition before him.

Lloyd Wideman, one of Bruning’s friends and caretakers from Loving Hands Hospice, said Bruning was always humble about his roles in life, whether in the Army or at home. He kept mementos from his time at war — photos, letters, small items — but was more apt to tell stories of the people he met in Europe. Bruning saw the world for everything good in it, and thought that he lived to be 100 years old in order to share his experiences and encouragement with those who came after him.

“He always had a humorous viewpoint, even for the things that were troublesome. He’d point out that the trouble you have is of your own making.” Wideman recalled. “He was still cracking jokes when he passed.”

In the days before he died, Bruning got the chance to take a trip from his home at the Oak Pointe senior living center and get a return to the farm life by visiting the animals at the Warren County Fair. It was also a good chance to catch up with friends in the community.

“He got to see a lot of people and families that he hadn’t seen since his Old Thresher days. He really enjoyed it,” said Wideman, who accompanied him.

Bruning’s funeral was on July 20, and he was buried with military honors at Wright City Cemetery next to Idele, his wife of 68 years.