Jean Maxine Bruner

Jean was born on January 5, 1931, to Edward and Augusta Stava in Douglas Nebraska. She was one of 9 children. Jean graduated from Douglas High School and had one year of college in Lincoln NE. She married Howard Bruner in Lincoln NE in 1950. Howard was a professor of Education at CSU. They had 2 children, Dallas and Sandra. Jean was a homemaker and later worked at Neusteters, and May D&F. She was involved in CSU Women's Association, Red Hat Society and Questers Antique group. Jean had a passion for and collected vintage clothing and costumes. Jean might have been known as the garage sale queen. Jean and Howard were members of the First United Methodist Church in Fort Collins where Jean sang in the church choir. Throughout her life she was always interested in music, and started a local singing group called "The Sunshine Singers." She also sang in the Larimer Chorale. She played the piano, guitar and the accordion. Jean loved theater and was in many musicals. She was in the Helen Mary Greene Theater Association which produced The Sound of Music- Jean played sister Margaretta and sang in the chorus. Other musicals were: The Mudlark, South Pacific, Oklahoma, My Fair Lady, and Molly Brown. Operas included: The Ballad of Baby Doe, LaTraviata, Falstaff, Carmen, Die Fledermaus, La Bohem and Madame Butterfly. Family gatherings and picnics were a big part of her life. Also, her favorite destination was Hawaii. She loved the tropical flowers, ocean waves, music, dance, and luaus. Jean will be sincerely missed by her friends and family. Aloha,
Jean was preceded in death by: parents, Edward Stava and Augusta Jensen Stava; brothers, Martin Stava, Ralph Stava, Lee Edward Stava and Joseph Stava; sisters, Bridget Stava and Mary Stava Dhooge. Survivors are: children, Dallas Bruner of Greeley CO, Sandra Bruner White of Laporte, CO; brother, John Stava of Bloomington IN; sister, Anna Stava Blevins of Geneva NE; four grandchildren: Adrian Bruner, Dallas Bruner Jr., Sydney Bruner and Carson Bruner of New York NY; two step grandchildren: Nate Mengel, Cameron Mengel; one step great grandchild, Holdan Mengel, and one great-grandchild, Liam Bruner.
Celebration of life under direction of Bohlender Funeral Chapel will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 1:00 pm at First United Methodist Church (Stover and Elizabeth Streets). Jean will be buried in Maxwell NE at Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Friends may contribute to Pathways Hospice, Larimer Humane Society or Catholic Charities in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, CO 80524.