Etta Mae Bruner
April 3, 1912 - December 6, 2011
Obituary
Etta Mae Bruner was born on April 3, 1912 in Page, North Dakota and went to Heaven on December 6, 2011 in Redmond, WA. One of three children, Maxine and Pearl. Her father was a banker turned farmer. Her mother, a home maker. Etta spent much of her growing up working. Either herding sheep or taking care of a disabled girl, Ila Mae. She often wondered why she had to work while other kids got to spend time playing outside, but Etta made the best of the mundane anyhow. An avid reader, she could often be found with a book, perhaps her favorite, “Heidi” while herding sheep. She recalled people saying, “move west young man, move west.” But why not a woman? So after High school, in the year 1930 or 1931 Etta moved west to Seattle with Ila Mae’s family.
Etta met her beloved husband Price at a Seattle area roller rink during Ladies Choice. But he couldn’t keep time and kept tripping over Etta’s feet! Eventually Etta taught Price something about rhythm. And he introduced her to flying. They dated for eight months before he proposed and they wed in 1946. Because of Price’s busy schedule as a pilot, Etta worried Price would miss their own wedding, and he almost did! Together they started Bruner Charters despite not given the chance to learn how to fly herself since Price was preoccupied teaching others. An interesting caveat about Price was that he was 8 years her junior. But coupled with Etta’s youthful spirit, they made a perfect pair!
Price and Etta enjoyed 25 years of travel adventures, some of which with their son, Robert M. Bruner before Price’s passing in 1971. They spent time camping in their car or a tent. At one point they set up camp on a hill and in the middle of the night it began to rain. Etta was on the downward slope and water poured inside getting her sopping wet!
She lived a quiet, but long and adventurous life. Despite living alone the forty years since her husbands’ death, Etta traveled the globe. She traveled most of the world all through the years, visiting every major continent except Antarctica either by plane or cruise ship. Even crossing the equator on one of her many cruise adventures! Etta’s favorite spot was Hawaii. Into her seventies Etta competed in and won trophies in ballroom dancing. Her favorite was the waltz as it ebbed and flowed from one-step into another.
Despite her husband Price’s death, Etta still managed to live a full life but never re-married as he was her soul mate.
For those that had the joy to meet her would probably say… that she was a kind and gentle soul. A loving woman to enjoyed life, even if it was just reading or re reading her favorite book “Heidi”. But if prompted, Etta was up for anything.
Something Etta would often say was that she was, “the oldest person I know.” Well Etta, you still are!
Her family would like to especially thank The Marymoor Retirement & Assisted Living nursing/staff and Group Health Hospice for making Etta so comfortable and putting their fears at ease during this last leg of Etta’s journey on earth. Even though you will be dearly missed, your family and friends find solace in knowing that we will be reunited again in Heaven.
Etta is also survived by her only son Robert M. Bruner, (Coleen) of Redmond, WA. Grandson Christopher, nieces Cathie Horodeck & Shelley Hennen, Nephews Tom Hennen, Terry Hennen & cousin Rhonda Beers. Visitation for Etta will be held on Wednesday, December 14 from 2pm – 5pm, funeral service will be Thursday, December 15 at 10am at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial: 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac, with a grave side service following.
In loving memory of our precious friend.
She was a wonderful lady and was like another grandma to our girls. She will be missed!
So many great memories of Etta:
Watching the fireworks over the lake every 4th of July
Being amazed at her Halloween witch costume
Her fabulous “24-hour” salad
Her love for her family — and her extended family too
Dinner at Anthony’s Homeport in Kirkland
Playing pool
Floating on the surfboard
Listening to her travel adventures
What a great lady! We’ll miss you Etta.