Verla Bruns

Funeral services for Verla Bruns were held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Gregory, SD with Pastor Marcus Ring officiating. Music was provided by Melanie Hannahs, organist, and Charlene Gill and Velma Harmacek were in charge of registration. Flower attendants were Melissa Wessel, Rhonda Weidner, Rebecca Wittmeier, Jennifer Combs, Aliza Wonnenberg, and Alisa Schmitz. Casket bearers were Jamie Sachtjen, Nicholas Cookston, David Bruns, Jonah Sachtjen, Andrew Cookston, Ryan McFayden, Jason Sachtjen, Richard Bruns, and Christopher McFayden. Interment was in the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Verla Marie Hedlund Bruns was born August 19, 1933, a twin with Verdus Hedlund, to Arthur and Lucy (Smith) Hedlund north of Gregory, SD.

She was baptized and a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, and active in LWML. She attended Rural School, Heinart #41 through the eighth grade, which was located north of Dallas, SD.

She married Henry Bruns on December 19,1948. They lived, farmed, and raised their family north of Dallas, SD. She worked her husband until he passed away in 2009, and she continued on the farm until 2020, when she moved into her apartment in Gregory. She lived on the same farm for a total of 72 years.

She enjoyed her flowers, gardening, playing a game of pitch, being with her friends at the senior center, attending her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s events, and mostly above all else, having her family around, and being able to cook for them.

She died November 4, 2024 at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory, SD, at the age of 91 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband Henry; her brothers: William, Martin, and Verdus Hedlund; sister Florence Hedlund; her parents Lucy and Arthur Hedlund; and daughter in-law Joy Bruns.

She is survived by her children: Catherine (Cecil) Sachtjen of Winner, SD; Dale (Mary) Bruns of Gregory, SD; Lori (Doug) Cookston of Summerset, SD; Lynn (Merrill ) McFayden of Gregory, SD; 15 grandchildren and their spouses; 38 great-grandchildren and their spouses; and four great-great-grandchildren.