Iowa County WI Archives Photo Tombstone.....Brunker, Patrick Henry "Harry" ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/wi/wifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Erin Proctor Proctor@dsl.net January 18, 2008, 3:36 am Cemetery: St. Bridgets Cemetery, Ridgeway, Iowa Co., Wi. Name: Patrick Henry "Harry" Brunker Photo can be seen at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/wi/iowa/photos/tombstones/stbridgets/brunker9556gph.jpg Image file size: 50.7 Kb Brunker, Patrick Henry "Harry" LINDEN/ RIDGEWAY - Patrick Henry "Harry" Brunker, age 74, a lifelong Iowa County resident,, left his earthly home on Thursday, March 27, 2003, at Bloomfield Manor, Dodgeville. He found peace, surrounded by family, as he gave up his brief fight with cancer. Harry was born on March 15, 1929, in Ridgeway to Joseph and Myrelle (Bunbury) Brunker. He spent many childhood days on the farms of his paternal grandparents, Robert F. and Ellen (McKinley) Brunker, and maternal grandparents, William and Nellie (Bohan) Bunbury of the Ridgeway area. Harry shared his farming childhood with his brother and six sisters. As a child, Harry attended school in Ridgeway, then graduated from Dodgeville High School. He had many friends and enjoyed time with them and his family. He especially loved to go to area dances at the old dance halls. Harry farmed in the Ridgeway/ Mount Horeb area until 1961, then moved his family to farm in Montfort for many years. His pride was born from the hands of hard work and true grit, building this farm from the bottom up with his family's help. He was a free-spirited man who enjoyed life to its fullest. Most will remember him as a great conversationalist who loved sharing stories with family and friends. He was a well-seasoned, self-made carpenter and mechanic who loved to tinker with machinery. It was unusual to find him without a tool or paintbrush in his hands. In early years when Harry wasn't working, he found great joy in spending time as captain on a family boat. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing in area woods and streams. He was preceded in death by his only brother, Frank J. Brunker, in 1956; a sister, Marion (Dick) Scullion, in 1971; a son-in-law, Charles "Ben" Baker, in 1977; his mother, Myrelle, in 1981; and father, Joseph, in 1983. Harry's former marriage to Elizabeth "Betty" Schlimgen in 1952 was blessed with nine children, Steve (Sherry) Brunker of Cuba City, Linda (Bob) Strenz of Browntown, Dennis (Cindy) Brunker of Mount Horeb, Jeff (Maureen) Brunker of Madison, Kathy (Greg) Westby of McFarland, Pauline (Kent) Gundlach of Madison, Eileen (Robert) Richter of McFarland, Patrick (Sandy) Brunker of Highland, and Bradley (Linda) Brunker of Madison. Harry also leaves behind 23 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; five sisters, Helen (Leo) Ley of Madison, JoAnn Schmidt of Milwaukee, Mary (Joe) Mauger of Franklin Park, Ill., Myrelle May of Mineral Point, and Rita (Phil) Frey of Sauk City; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Harry shared his life with a special friend, Ms. Barbara Wood, in Linden and Livingston for many years until her death in 1990. Harry had many friends in the Ridgeway, Montfort, and Barneveld area who will remember his infectious and whole- hearted laugh. A memorial Mass will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, 2003, at ST. BRIDGET'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, Ridgeway. Father Donald Lange and Father Kenneth J. Frisch will co-officiate with burial of his cremains in St. Bridget's Cemetery in Ridgeway. Friends and family may call at the church on Sunday after 1 p.m. A celebration of life gathering and dinner at St. Bridget's Catholic Church will follow the graveside services. The Lulloff- Peterson-Houck Funeral Home, Dodgeville is serving the family. He met many challenges, along with life's dreams, and conquered many of both with a heck of a fight. He was a true Irishman to the end and very proud of this. May the roads rise to meet you. May the wind be at your back. May the sun shine warm, upon your face; The rain fall soft, upon your fields And, until we meet again, May God hold you, in the palm of His hand. - A Gaelic blessing, Additional Comments: Photograph submitted by Larry and Linda Kopet. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wi/iowa/photos/tombstones/stbridgets/brunker9556gph.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/wifiles/ File size: 4.6 Kb