Harold ‘Harry’ Bruns

Harold “Harry” Bruns passed away on March 19, 2025.

He was born on Nov. 15, 1931, the second son of Herman and Dora (Seegers) Bruns on the family farm east of Denver. He was baptized and was a lifetime follower of Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He graduated from Denver High School in 1949.

Shortly after the start of the Korean conflict, he joined the US Air Force, serving in Korea, Okinawa, and various locations in the United States. On Aug. 23, 1953, he was united in marriage to Shirley Miller at Peace Evangelical and Reformed Church in Waverly, IA. After the wedding, they finished the final year of his military service in Riverside, CA. The next 22 years were spent working for Sunray DX Oil Company in Waterloo, IA and Sun Oil Company in Tulsa, OK, Terre Haute, IN, and Philadelphia, PA.

In 1976, he and his family moved to Charles City, IA and formed Bruns Oil Company. For the next 22 years he served the community selling petroleum products, along with his volunteer service on the board of the Iowa Petroleum Marketers Association, the National Jobbers Council, the Charles City Chamber of Commerce and all council positions at Cross Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his wife Shirley of 71 ½ years, his sons Dennis (Lindy) Bruns of Grand Prairie, TX and Bruce (Lori) Bruns of Charles City, a daughter Brenda (Mike) Mahoney of Nashua, IA; nine grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren with another on the way. He is also survived by one brother, Dale (Cheryl) Bruns of Conway, AR, one sister, Jeanette Carper of Johnston, IA and brother-in-law Richard Miller of Waverly, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Virgil Bruns, and two sisters, Marlene Miller and Patricia Goodrich. Harold chose to donate his remains to the Mayo Clinic donation program in Rochester, Minn .

At a future date, the family will hold a memorial service. The family wishes to express their profound thanks for the excellent care he received while at Floyd County Medical Center and 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Homes-Charles City. The family requests in lieu of flowers, any memorials should be directed to the YMCA-Charles City, IA.