Richard Leo Bruning, age 83, of Villisca, Iowa, passed away peacefully Friday, December 6, 2024, surrounded by family. Richard was born January 24, 1941, in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Leo and Mildred (Gaston) Bruning. He graduated from Millard High School and farmed near Louisville and Springfield, Nebraska. Richard was united in marriage to Sharon Kneisel on July 3, 1965, in Omaha, Nebraska. They moved to Southwest Iowa, in 1966, to farm and currently lived on their family farm near Villisca, Iowa. His passion was farming: raising crops, hogs, and cattle, as well as custom combining. His top priority, however, was his family. Richard was fun loving, had a great sense of humor, and a strong faith in God. He was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Villisca, Iowa.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife: Sharon Bruning; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Warren and Phyllis Kneisel; brother: John Bruning; and sister-in-law: Janet Kneisel Hargis. Survivors include his children: Elaine Carlson and husband Kerry of Red Oak, IA and Terry Bruning and wife Jeannie of Red Oak, IA; grandchildren: William Bruning and wife Brittany of Clarinda, IA; Brandon Bruning and wife Nicole of Villisca, IA; Thad Bruning and wife Bailey of Council Bluffs, IA; Alec Carlson and wife Grace of Long Island, NY; Brittany Prokupek and husband Josh of Pella, IA; and Kaylin Carlson of Red Oak, IA; great grandchildren: Oliver, Myah, Kaylee, Raelyn, Everett, and Corinne; brothers: Jim Bruning and wife Deanna of Washington D.C.; Larry Bruning and wife Linda of Austin, TX; and Duane Bruning and wife Minnie of Englewood, CO; sisters: Janey Armbrust and husband Jerry of Millard, NE and Nancy Jantze and husband Butch of Milford, NE; brothers-in-law: Doyle Kneisel and wife Sandy of Griswold, IA and Don Hargis of Omaha, NE; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel in Red Oak, Iowa. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held from 5-6:30 PM Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Villisca Food Pantry.

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