Tuesday, September 8th, 2020
Johanna Bruns
Johanna Mary (Bulcher) Bruns, known to most as Joanne or Joanie, died peacefully at her St. Henry home surrounded by loved ones on Monday, September 7, 2020.
Johanna was a compassionate Registered Nurse and community volunteer, and a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. Her ability to give to others slowly declined with Alzheimer's, but her indelible gentle kindness and quick wit remains in the hearts of many. Her loves were sharing and giving of herself to family, community and friends, reading, and ballroom dancing with her husband of 61 years.
On August 10, 1935, Johanna was born in Frenchtown to Joseph & Viola (Barton) Bulcher. She graduated from Versailles High School in 1953 and St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, Dayton in 1956. On January 10, 1959, she married Lester E. Bruns at St. Denis Catholic Church in Versailles, and he survives in St. Henry.
Johanna is survived by three children: Jeff & Sandy (Schwieterman) of Germantown, Kathy & Steve Schoenlein of Oakwood, Karen Brackman of Tipp City, and grandchildren Patrick, Michael, Andrew, Holly, Brad, Lauren, and Spencer. She is also survived by her brother Jerome & Anne Bulcher of Mt. Pleasant, SC, in-laws Roselyn Bruns of St. Henry, Dorothy & Dennis Bills of St. Henry, Joan Bruns of Coldwater and numerous nieces and nephews.
Johanna was preceded in death by step-father Ralph (Cuff) Barga, in-laws George and Anna Bruns, Don Bruns, Ralph Bruns, Ivo & Jean Bruns, Marita & Ed Elking, Warren Brockman, and grandchildren Kevin and Megan.
"Nurse Joanie" worked 3 years at Wayne Hospital in Greenville followed by 37 years for the Maria Stein Family Practice. During those years, she worked with Dr. Edgar Wilke and Drs. Donald, Jim, and Tom Schwieterman and a support staff, all whom she respected and loved like family. She also shared her nursing talents as one of the charter members and trainers of the St. Henry Emergency Medical Squad.
Johanna was a member of St. Henry Catholic Church where she volunteered as a lay Eucharistic minister, lector, and funeral Mass organizer and greeter. She was also an active member of the Daughters of Isabella, the Altar Rosary Society, and the Maria Stein Shrine Adoration Guild.
In retirement, Johanna volunteered at St. Henry Elementary School as a reading tutor, at the Center for Neurological Development in Burkettsville, and for the American Red Cross Blood Drives.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, a funeral Mass with social distancing will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 10 at St. Henry Catholic Church. Live streaming at https://sthenrycluster.com/livestream/. A private burial, immediate family only, at the St. Henry Cemetery will follow the Mass.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family requests donations be made to State of the Heart Care Hospice Care, stateoftheheartcare.com/donate or the Center for Neurological Development, 78 Main St Burkettsville, OH 45310.
Condolences may be expressed at hogenkampfh.com.
