Don Bradley Bruns was born in Hartley, Iowa, on August 7, 1955, and he died
at the age of 59 in Johnstown, Colorado, on September 16, 2014. Don heroically battled
liposarcoma (a rare form of cancer) for 3 1/2 years. He was the 4th of five
children born to Louis and Sadie Bruns. Don lived and went to high school in
Sheldon, Iowa, where he was on the wrestling team. Don exhibited his work ethic
as a youngster, as he worked at the hospital, the airport, and painted houses
while still in high school. After graduating from Sheldon High School in 1973,
Don attended Iowa State University, where he earned degrees in Economics and Business
Management.
Don married Pamela Watts on June 30, 1979, in Newton, Iowa. Don and Pam met
while attending Iowa State University, and they married six months after Don’s
graduation. Don and Pam moved many times through the years as Don steadily
moved up the ladder in the health care insurance field (medicare and medicaid).
They celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in June of this year.
Don started his insurance career with EDS, and from 1979 to 1982 his work
with EDS took him to Wichita, Kansas, Columbia, Missouri, Jefferson City, Missouri,
and Marion, Illinois. He then worked for General American Life Insurance Company
in St. Louis, Missouri, for a very short time, and then he started his career
with Consultec, Inc. With Consultec, Don worked in Jefferson City, Missouri, Helena,
Montana, back to Jefferson City, and then to Tallahassee, Florida, where Don
and Pam spent 15 years. In early 2004, Don retired, and Pam and Don moved to
their vacation home in Granby, Colorado. Within four months, Don grew restless,
and he went back to work for Fox Systems, Inc (which became CognoSante), until
he had to step down due to his cancer. With Fox, Don worked in Bismark and then
Fargo, North Dakota.
Don loved identifying and nurturing the strengths and skills of managers
in training in order to advance their careers. Don had so many skills, including
diplomacy, conflict resolution, sound judgement, and leadership abilities, to
name just a few. He was trustworthy, dependable, and he treated everyone
fairly. Don was a toastmaster, and he encouraged all of his managers to learn
to speak in public.
Shortly before his diagnosis, Don and Pam bought a small ranch near
Wellington, Colorado. Don put so much work in to bringing the old dilapidated
buildings back to life, cleaning up the yard and pastures, and fixing up both
homes on the property. Don did all of this while battling his cancer. He could
fix or do anything. Don especially enjoyed all of the animals on the ranch,
especially his little dog Barley.
For the last two years, Don volunteered with the Fort Collins Bike Coop. He
served on the board of directors, and he was a volunteer bike mechanic in the
shop. He would help individuals work on their bikes, and he would also teach
them how to take care of their bikes. He built custom wheels for the coop from both new and used parts. He was very proud of the services
provided to the community by the Bike Coop, and he helped find the building
that the Coop just purchased.
Don was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Wellington, Colorado. He
enjoyed putting the pictorial directory together for the church and getting to
know all of the members. Zion’s minister, Mark, helped Don in so many ways as
he progressed through his journey with cancer.
Don is survived by his wife, Pamela, siblings Dr. David (Joyce) Bruns of
Lafayette, Indiana, Diane (Harold) Feldkamp of Sibley, Iowa, Dennis (Susan)
Bruns of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Rev. Dean (Dr. Cristy) Bruns of San Juan
Capistrano, California, along with many cousins, nephews, nieces, church
family, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Louis Bruns (1963) and Sadie Bruns
(2008).
There will be a memorial service for Don at Zion Lutheran Church in Wellington, CO on
September 27th, 2014, at 11:00 A.M. A luncheon at the church will
follow. Don's ashes will be scattered in all of the places that he loved.
Don is now resting in peace with the Lord. Thanks be to God!
Please share your memories and comments with everyone who knew and loved
Don.
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If you would like to make a memorial contribution, the family invites you to
make memorial contributions to Zion Lutheran Church or to the Fort Collins Bike
Coop in Don's honor.
Zion
Lutheran
Church
Fort Collins Bike Coop
8322 Second
St.
331 N College Ave
Wellington,
CO
80549
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Cards can be sent to: Pamela Bruns
10000 N CR 3
Wellington, CO 80549
The following information is being provided due to the small size of Wellington, CO. Flowers can be ordered from Palmer Flowers in Fort Collins. They have a
delivery charge, so just tell them to call Pam (970) 531-3606 and someone can pick them up. Plants can be
ordered from the Fort Collins Nursery, and they also can be picked up by
someone.
Plants
Flowers
Fort Collins
Nursery
Palmer Flowers
970-482-1984
970-226-0200
