Mae Bruning

Mae V. Bruning, 97, died peacefully Nov. 27, 2003, at HomePlace in Oak Harbor where she resided for the past three years. Mae was born July 21, 1906, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Michael Meuer and Julia Frey Meuer.

Mae attended schools in Dubuque, Iowa, and then went on to Clark College receiving her Teacher’s Certificate and teaching for 10 years before marriage. In 1935, she married Edmund F. Bruning and because female teachers were unable to teach once married, she put her career aside.

Mae was mother and grandmother to her four daughters. Following the death of her husband Ed in 1958, she returned to college and received her bachelor’s degree in special education. She returned to teaching at various schools in Hastings until retirement.

Mae enjoyed traveling, oil painting and crossword puzzles, including the daily New York Times puzzle. She was a member of St. Cecilias Catholic Church of Hastings, for more than 55 years. She suffered a severe stroke in 2000 and was moved to Oak Harbor to be with her daughter.

Mrs. Bruning is survived by four daughters: Mary Lou Scribner of Napa, Calif.; Margot Wiess of Oak Harbor; Patricia Mankin of Omaha, Neb.; and Julie Schopp of Chesterfield, Mo.; and one brother, Al Meuer, age 101, of Glenview, Ill. Eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren also survive.

In keeping with Mrs. Bruning’s caring way, she has given her body to the University of Washington School of Medicine for research.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated for Mae Bruning at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Oak Harbor, Friday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Alzheimers‚ Association, 12721-30th Ave N.E., Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98125.