Marlys Bruns

Marlys Joan Bruns, 89, of Titonka died Thursday, November 23, 2023, at the Titonka Care Center following a brief illness. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, in rural Titonka. Burial was held in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation began at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday and continued until the time of service at the church.

Marlys was born on November 30, 1933, to George Lavern Steinberg and Hazel Luella Steele in Buffalo Center. She grew up on a farmstead located 1-1/2 miles from Buffalo Center with her parents, one sister, and two brothers. She and her family later moved to Buffalo Center.

Marlys graduated from Buffalo Center High School in 1952. After high school, Marlys moved to Mason City, where she worked as a waitress at a local restaurant. She soon moved back to Buffalo Center, where she worked at the Ben Franklin store before meeting her future husband, Norman Marlin Bruns, at the Buffalo Center roller skating rink. They dated for 2-1/2 years and married after Norman’s two-years of service in the U.S. Army. Marlys and Norman were married on January 30, 1955, at the Buffalo Center United Methodist Church, where Marlys had been baptized and confirmed.

Marlys and Norman farmed north of Titonka, where they raised corn, beans, livestock and four sons. Marlys was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Titonka, including the Women of ELCA at Immanuel Lutheran Church. She also worked as a Helpmate at the Titonka Care Center and was a founding member of a long-standing Birthday Club group which met for over 50 years.

Marlys loved her role as a farm wife, homemaker, and mother of four boys. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband Norman, reading, painting, embroidery, and visiting friends and family. In later years, she especially enjoyed spending time with her extended family and her sister-in-law Velida Bruns.

Marlys is survived by her children Wayne (Kim) Bruns of Urbandale, Russell (Diane) Bruns of Titonka, Brian Bruns of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Scott (Jennifer) Bruns of Troy, Michigan; grandchildren, Jenny (Zack) Ostercamp, Jaci (Josh) Cox, Joni (Keith) Hefley, Chris (Rachel) Bruns, Katie (Lucas) Droessler, Emma Bruns and Griffin Bruns; great-grandchildren, Bo Ostercamp, Ivy Ostercamp, Shayden Hefley, Cooper Hefley, Josiah Cox, Eli Cox, Abel Cox, Silas Cox, Harper Droessler, Carabelle Bruns and many other relatives and friends who will miss her greatly.

She was preceded in death by her husband Norman Bruns, in 1997; her parents George and Hazel Steinberg; her sister Shirley Steenhard; and her two brothers, Robert Duane Steinberg and Donald Dean Steinberg.

Online condolences may be left at www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com