Janet Bruun

Janet Jane (Schramm) Bruun was born on June 29, 1938, to Howard and Irene “Chic” (Hight) Schramm. Janet was born in Winner, SD, and was baptized August 5, 1938, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner, SD. She was later confirmed in 1952, and was a member of Trinity Lutheran. She grew up in Winner, SD, with her parents and younger brother Chuck. Her uncle Herbert’s family lived across the street. Howard and Herbert were identical twins. Janet’s mother was a nurse, and during Janet’s childhood years, she spent many hours at the hospital while her mother was working. Janet’s school years began in Winner, and she graduated from Winner High School in 1956. Highlights of this time were attending at baseball, football, and basketball games with close friends. Janet’s dad loved taking the girls to games and spoiling them with treats. Janet grew up in Winner with seven uncles and one aunt. Janet was the oldest cousin on the Hight side and the second oldest on the Schramm side.

Janet met Carroll Bruun in 1951 on a bus ride to 4-H camp. They started dating in 1953 and were later engaged on May 21, 1956. In the fall of 1956, Carroll went to Huntington Park, CA, to work for General Motors on a car assembly line. In January, Janet headed to Los Angeles, CA, to work at a bank. In May of 1957, Carroll wanted to move back to farm with his dad, so he and Janet headed back to South Dakota. One year to the day after getting engaged, they broke off their engagement.

Janet started college at Drake University for dental hygiene; that was not the right choice for her, so she quit at semester break. She followed her cousin Jim and enrolled at South Dakota State University, declaring Spanish as her major. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1961 from SDSU and later with her master’s in business in 1969 from USD. Janet’s first teaching job was at Rapid City Central; she taught there from 1961-1964. Her second engagement to Carroll was in September of 1963 with a wedding to follow on February 22, 1964. Carroll continued to farm, and Janet started her teaching career in Winner. In the early years of their marriage, twins Donnie and Ronnie Matthews (neighbor boys to Howard and Irene Schramm) started making frequent trips to the farm on weekends. They eventually stayed and became part of the family. Johnyne Carol was born on December 16, 1968; Jacey Jane on December 6, 1973; and Jad Howard on February 13, 1975. Janet wrote, “My favorite place in the whole world was our farm, living with my best friend and special blessings Johnyne, Jacey, and Jad. We had a great life, and I never wanted for a thing.”

Janet retired from teaching in May of 2002. Over the course of her career, she touched so many lives both inside and outside of the classroom. She started the Winner High School Warriorettes, youth track, and youth basketball. She was both a teacher and a role model. Janet and Carroll moved back to the farm after Carroll and Jad completely rebuilt the old farmhouse. Janet and Carroll lived in that house for many years during their retirement before moving back to town fulltime. Janet enjoyed attending every sporting event possible and was proud to wear her favorite color - purple. She also loved sitting in her chair crocheting while looking at pictures of her grandchildren. Janet and Carroll enjoyed following their six grandkids in all their activities; they also enjoyed taking as many trips as they could, especially to Branson, MO. Spending time in Brookings while attending SDSU basketball games, and staying in Parker, which became their second home, were highlights of their lives. Fondest memories were having all six grandkids together at the farm, and most recently receiving visits from new great-granddaughter, Murphy.

She is survived by her three children: daughters Johnyne (Brad) Horstman of Winner, SD, and Jacey (Dale) Peters of Parker, SD; son Jad (Suny) Bruun of Dallas, SD; grandchildren: Zachary (Tayler) Horstman of Mitchell, SD; Jayden Bruun of Spearfish, SD; Kylie (Jayd) VanDer-Werff of Gregory, SD; Kelby Peters of Sioux Falls, SD; Joren Bruun of Dallas, SD; and Karley Peters of Parker, SD; a great-granddaughter; brother Chuck Schramm of Sioux Falls, SD; sister-in-law Marlene (Tom) Hansen of Canyon Lake, TX; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Janet was preceded in death by her husband Carroll; her parents Howard and Irene (G’ma Chic) Schramm; in-laws Helmer and Mae Bruun; and sister-in-law Ginny Canon.