Cecilia Marie Bruning, age 98, of Red Oak, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family. Cecilia was born March 19, 1926, in Bee, Nebraska, the daughter of Edward and Mary (Bulicek) Hamata. The family moved to Omaha, Nebraska, when Cecilia was 4 years old. She graduated from Irvington High School in1943. Cecilia was employed by Dun and Bradstreet typing background questionnaires. After the war came to an end, she worked at Standard Beauty and Barber Supply typing up orders. Cecilia was united in marriage to Bernard Bruning on April 14, 1945, in Omaha, Nebraska. They made their home on a dairy farm at 120th and Dodge Street, Omaha, Nebraska, until the spring of 1963 when they moved the family dairy operation to their present location north of Stanton, Iowa. Cecilia enjoyed crocheting, baking, and was known for making her Hoska Bread at Christmas time for several of her children's families. She tended to her strawberry beds, gardening and yard work, and loved being outdoors. Her greatest joy came from her family and she stayed connected to each of them by sending cards with handwritten notes. Cecilia was a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church for many years.

Cecilia was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Bernard; sister: Gabriela Flynn and her husband Robert; son: Dan Bruning and his wife Diane; and son-in-law Randall Larson.

Survivors include her children: Patricia Larson Menendez of Lee's Summit, Missouri; Catherine Jones and her husband Richard of Saint Cloud, Florida; Gary Bruning and his wife Linda of Villisca, Iowa; Steven Bruning and his wife Sheryl of Stanton, Iowa; Kenneth Bruning and his wife Carleen of Stanton, Iowa; and David Bruning and his wife Elitha of Red Oak, Iowa; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, other relatives, and friends.

Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 26, 2024, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Red Oak, Iowa. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held from 4-6 PM Sunday, August 25, 2024, at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel in Red Oak, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, Montgomery County Memorial Hospital Foundation; or a charity of the donor's choice.

Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel, of Red Oak, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.