Obit: Brunner, Richard J. (1872 - 1957)

Contact: Stan

Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Brunner, Walsdorf

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 05/30/1957

Brunner, Richard J. (2 FEB 1872 - 23 MAY 1957)

On Monday, May 27^th at 9:30 a.m. at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church at Thorp, Father Arnold M. Muckerheide officiated at the last rites and solemn requiem high mass for Richard J. Brunner, a Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.)  a resident for 57 years.

Mr. Brunner, who had reached the age of 85 years and 3 months, passed away at his home here on Thursday, May 23^rd, 1957, the cause of death being old age infirmities.  Burial was made in St. Bernard’s Parish Cemetery.

Richard J. Brunner was born at Lima, Wis. on Feb. 2, 1872, the son of Melchior and Anna Brunner.  He became a resident of Thorp in 1900 and on Sept. 27, 1904 was united in marriage to Edith Walsdorf at St. Bernard’s Church, Thorp.

Mr. Brunner’s occupation here from 1900 to 1939 was that of a blacksmith, and later was employed as janitor at St. Bernard’s Church and School until 1943, and then at the Blue Moon Foods, Inc., until retirement.  He was an organizer of the first Fire Dept. at Thorp, of which he was the first fire chief in 1902, and also served as Village Trustee.

He was a member of The Catholic Order of Foresters, Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Family Protective Association.

Surviving relatives are his wife, Edith, one son, Eugene, five brothers, Joe J. Brunner, Lima, Wis..; Frank Brunner, Nora Spring, Iowa; Michael Brunner, Jefferson, Iowa; Julius Brunner of Osage, Iowa, and Father Richard Brunner, who at present is in a hospital in New York, just having returned to the U.S. from India.

The Thorp Volunteer Fire Co., of which Mr. Brunner was an honorary member, viewed the remains in a body on Saturday evening at the funeral home.  The Holy Name Society members, Foresters and Knights of Columbus were present for rosary recital on Sunday evening.

Serving as pallbearers were: Victor Verner, Charles Possley, John Maier, Tom Polnaszek, W. G. Vanderhyden and Andrew Shuk.

Relatives and friends who attended the funeral: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Brunner, Jefferson, Iowa; Mr. Frank Brunner, Nora Springs, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Julius Brunner, Osage, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Brunner, Durand, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Thompson, Truman, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Brunner, Durand, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Brunner, Durand, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. James Brunner, Durand, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Brunner, Durand, Wis.; Mr. Willis Poeschnel, Durand, Wis.; Mrs. Roman Brantner, Rock Falls, Wis.; Mr. Pat Hayden, Rock Falls, Wis.; Miss Elsie Weber, Durand, Wis.; Leland Walsdorf, Ladysmith, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Sykora, Eagleton, Wis.; Mrs. Joe Julka, Fond du Lac, Wis.; Mrs. A. J. Brenner, Fond du Lac, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. John Phillipi, Wausau, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Louie Moore, Boyd, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Walsdorf, Kiel, Wis.; Mrs. Frank Rivers, Stanley, Wis.; Mr. Pete Oster, Marshfield, Wis.; Mrs. Katherine Murphy, Marshfield, Wis.