Colleen Therese Brunner
September 20, 1927 - April 19, 2004
Obituary
Colleen T. Brunner, born September 20, 1927 in Burien, WA, when coyotes were common around Lake Burien, passed away April 19, 2004. The family moved to Auburn, WA shortly after. As a teenager she worked in the bean and berry fields. She graduated from Aquinas High School in Tacoma and then attended Tacoma Catholic College. Her life changed completely in 1946 when she met her future husband at the wonderful Spanish Castle in Midway. Dick and Colleen were married in 1947 and were together for 56 years. Their six children were born during this period. Colleen moved with her husband to Heppner, Or, Baker, OR, and Pasco, WA where Dick managed J.C. Penney stores. Dick then opened three variety stores and fabric stores in Des Moines, WA. Colleen worked side by side with her husband managing the stores. She then went to the Bon Marche in Federal Way where she managed the china department. She is survived by her husband, Dick and her children: Rick lives in Bellevue. Colleen Widden Joe, his twin sister, lives in Sammamish. Cathy Reppar Larry lives in Fall City. Michele Corey Mike in Puyallup, Nicole Hansen Ron in Irvine, CA and Tom Susan in Federal Way. Her grandchildren are Frank, Anna, Dominick, Chip, Casey, Catherine, Patricia, Michele, Meleah, Miranda, Michael, Marc, Breana, Nicholas, Brittany, Christopher, Amber, Courtney, Brendan and Danielle; plus five great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Blanche Berg, in Bothell, Mabel Montgomery in Tenino, and Pat Van Winkle in Warren, N.H. Colleen had a wonderful full life. She worked with special friends’ group at her church, took in foster children, worked with the homeless at Catholic Community Services. She was an excellent dancer and she and Dick belonged to the Des Moines Dance Club. Colleen had a beautiful singing voice and started by singing at the Little Catholic Church on the Muckleshoot Reservation in Auburn. Rosary Service will be held on Friday, April 23, 2004 at 6:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 24, 2004 at 10:30 AM, both services at St. Philomena Catholic Church, 1790 S 222nd St., Des Moines, WA. Interment Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery. The family prefers memorial contributions be made to the St. Philomena School in Des Moines or Children’s Hospital in Seattle. The family has entrusted services to BONNEY-WATSON Federal Way, 1535 SW Dash Point Rd., Federal Way, WA 253 839-7317.
My Grandmother was the most unselfish person in the world. She never thought about herself until everyone around her was happy and content. She was like this for as long as I can remember, even up until her last breath of life. She waited to say good-bye until after all of her loving grandchildren left. She has become an angel at Gods right hand. To many, she was already an angel in many peoples eyes, including my own.
Love always and forever,
Amber