Fred Brunner

Fred Brunner, Jr. was a kind, fun-loving and trustworthy man. His family and friends respected him greatly, both for his strength of mind and his unconditional love. Fred was continually guided by his values, strong values that helped him make a lasting and positive impression on the lives he touched.

Under the leadership of President Warren G. Harding, America entered into the 1920s with confidence. The politics of the time were as turbulent as ever, yet industry had made the U.S. economy surge. Frederick and Laura (Cummings) Brunner, Sr. lived a modest life on their farm in Hudson, Wisconsin in the midst of all that characterized the 1920's. Already the proud parents of three children, on December 2, 1922 Fred and Laura welcomed the birth of their son, Frederick Frank Jr. He was later joined by another sister, completing the Brunner household.

The Brunners were farmers and the children were expected to do their part working on the farm. Their home had a long driveway and in the wintertime, they would use their horses to pull the car to the main road. Fred would walk the horses back to the barn, then retrieve them when they returned to again pull the car. Fred attended the Hudson area schools, where he earned a varsity letter in boxing. During his high school years, the family moved to Mason County, where Fred graduated with the Custer High School class of 1941. For the last half of his senior year, Fred drove the school bus that picked up the outconty kids in the southern part of the area. When they moved, Fred's father went to work for the Mason County Road Commission and did some cherry farming on the side.

After graduation, Fred got a job at the Brunswick bowling company in Muskegon, with the help of his Uncle Charlie. This was the ultimate job for Fred because he was paid to bowl all day to test the pins. His next job was at Boeing in Wichita, Kansas where he assembled aircraft. Boeing paid for Fred to attend trade school while he worked for them. In December of 1941, America was brought into World War II with the attack on Pearl Harbor. Fred knew that he would soon receive his draft notice from the Army, so he chose to enlist in the U.S. Navy on July 6, 1942. Fred proudly served aboard the LST 468 supply ship in the South Pacific, where he worked in maintenance. His ship was involved in several invasions, but Fred was able to return safely to the states, passing under the Golden Gate Bridge on July 4, 1945. He received his honorable discharge on December 10 that year.

After returning to civilian life, Fred enrolled in Horticulture classes at Michigan State University. After graduating in 1952, Fred accepted a position with the State of Michigan's Department of Agriculture as a Horticulture Inspector. His job entailed involved many aspects of Horticulture, ranging from fruit trees to Christmas trees, feed mills and rail cars, and encompassed an area from Grand Rapids all the way north to the Upper Peninsula. After some time, Fred met a lovely young lady named Claribel Price, who worked at Pinkerton's Drug Store in Scottville. The two enjoyed going dancing together at the local dance hall, where romance soon blossomed. Fred and Claribel were joyfully married on June 9, 1956, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Custer. On their honeymoon in the Upper Peninsula, Fred was actually on the job, inspecting trees. A little less than a year later, the couple welcomed the birth of their first child, daughter Karen, in April of 1957. She was later joined by three siblings, Sharon, Debby and Dennis.

Fred was a wonderful father and an excellent example to his children. As he had learned in his childhood, Fred instilled good work ethics in his family. They were able to sell fruit from the garden at a roadside stand, and Fred planted pickles for them to care for and sell later. This was their way to earn spending money for their trips to Florida or something special they wanted. As a disciplinarian, Fred was adamant the children finish all their chores before going out with friends. Over the years, the family enjoyed many memorable vacations. They were able to see the U.P. during his inspections trips, as well as trips to sunny Florida. In later years, when Fred was blessed with grandchildren, he poured the same amount of love into these relationships. They couldn't wait to stay over at Grandpa's, enjoying even the jobs they knew he would have for them to share. They didn't mind the work, because they knew the reward would be Grandpa's famous buttermilk pancakes for breakfast the next morning.

Another of Fred's passions was beekeeping, which he did for 50 years, caring for his five-acre garden of fruit trees, vegetables and other varieties of trees as part of the operation. His first beehives were started with stock from Judge Griswold, and he proudly sold the resulting honey throughout the area. Fred greatly enjoyed his hives and garden, and the help of his family that were needed to maintain them both. On February 10, 1984, Fred retired from his job with the State, and turned his energy to being an active member of the Custer Gold Bar VFW Post 5096. As a life member with the Post, he served as Post Commander for four years, Trustee for eight years, District Commander, and was on the Honor Guard detail. Fred was also a great outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing whenever possible. When his son, Dennis, was old enough, they began hunting together, and were later joined by his brothers-in-law, Don Price and Orville Smith. It was a happy day when Fred could pass on the tradition of hunting with his grandsons, Matt and Jake.

Fred was a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, where he served as an usher, and always volunteered to help during the chicken dinners. He gladly took charge of the big job of dishwashing and cleanup following the meal. Fred had great cooking skills at home and was well known for his cinnamon and pecan rolls, peanut butter fudge and homegrown honey. He liked collecting recipes, taking photographs of local scenery and his grandchildren, and working on his computer. Fred also enjoyed spending time at Tallman Lake Senior Center, visiting with friends and bowling. All who knew Fred will treasure his beloved memory.

Frederick Frank Brunner, Jr. died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family on Friday, December 8, 2006. He was preceded in death by his wife, Claribel, on April 28, 1999, his parents, his sister, Marion Crane, his brother, Harold Brunner, and his sister-in-law, Betty Faltinek. Fred will be greatly missed by his children: Karen (Bruce) Dentler of Portage, Sharon (Robert) Witt of Kalamazoo, Debby (Oscar) Tennison of Woodland, California, and Dennis (Cathy) Brunner of Grand Rapids; his grandchildren: Matt Rakoski and his fiancée Brooke Schweirkert, Amanda Dentler and her fiancée Brent Kasza, all of Grand Rapids, Katie Dentler of Portage, Jake Brunner and Sarah Brunner, both of Grand Rapids; his special friend, Fern Jenson of Fountain; his sisters, Catherine Jotka of Muskegon, and Rosemary (Tom) Burtscher of Colorado; his sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Ila (Orville) Smith of Custer, Ruth Ann (Curtiss) Berndt of Free Soil, and Donald (Rosalie) Price of Custer; his niece, Sue (Gene) Mroz of California; and his nephew, Harold (Jan) Brunner of Traverse City.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Fred on Wednesday, December 13, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Custer with Rev. Tom Schiller as Celebrant. Burial will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery. Friends may meet with his family for a time of visitation on Tuesday, December 12, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Stephens Life Story Funeral Home in Scottville. The Rosary will be prayed for Fred on Tuesday evening at 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Custer Gold Bar VFW Post 5096, St. Mary's Catholic Church or Hospice of Michigan ~ Mason County. Please visit Fred's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.