Gerald "Jerry" Bruning

Gerald  “Jerry” Bruning age 71 of Coleridge, Nebraska died on Sunday, February 13, 2022 at Providence Medical Center in Wayne, Nebraska. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, February 18, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Coleridge with the Rev. Owen Korte officiating.  Burial will be at St. Michael’s cemetery in Coleridge.  Visitation will be on Thursday, at church, from 5-7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue on Friday, at church, one hour prior to services.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Coleridge. Pallbearers will be Mark Bruning, David Bruning, Bryan Wortmann, Jeff Haag, Brian Duering, Dennis Anderson & Dave Tuttle.  Honorary pallbearers will be all of Gerald’s grandchildren. Gerald “Jerry” Francis Bruning was born on November 9, 1950 at Yankton, SD to Vincent Frederick and Evelyn Marie (Suing) Bruning.  He grew up on a farm southeast of Hartington and was a graduate of Hartington Cedar Catholic High School.  Jerry was also a member of the U.S. Army Reserves from 1967-1971.  On January 8, 1972, Jerry married the love of his life, Marlyce Kay Smith.  To this union they welcomed three children, Jeana, Jeremy, and Joel. Jerry saw himself as a “Jack of all Trades”- throughout the years he worked as an electrician, custodian and school bus driver, until he found his calling as an over the road truck driver.  Jerry’s favorite thing to do was spend time with his family.  He enjoyed hunting, sitting around the campfire at the river, or going for side by side rides.  He also enjoyed working with leather and creating his own custom walking sticks. Jerry also was a 10 year member of the Coleridge Volunteer Fire Department. Jerry is survived by his wife Marlyce of 50 years; three children Jeana (Ed) Robinette of Coleridge, Jeremy (Mandy) Bruning of Coleridge, Joel (Amy) Bruning of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; five grandchildren Tyler (Courtney) Robinette, Kaylee Robinette, Harper and Presley Bruning, Ethan Bruning, and one on the way; brother Charles “Chuck” Bruning of Hartington, sisters Carol Wortmann of Naples, FL, Dorothy (Robert) Haag of Mead, NE; sisters-in-law Carol Bruning of Hartington, Nancy Bruning of Wisner, NE; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Vincent and Evelyn Bruning; three miscarried children; brothers Jim, Darrell, Don, and an infant brother; brothers-in-law Dave Wortmann and Rich Duering; mother and father-in-law Alfred Clark and Evelyn Turena Smith.