Gertrude Bruynes

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GERTRUDE BRUYNES was born on October 21, 1934 to Sidney and Marie (Vlieger) Berghorst in Oldebrook, Netherlands. She was baptized at the Reformed Church in the Netherlands. As a child she loved to jump rope and helped her mother raise her brothers and sisters. In July of 1948, at the age of 14, her family came to America by the New Amsterdam ship and settled in Versailles, Missouri. The family relocated to Hull, Iowa in 1951. On September 20, 1954, Gertrude was united in marriage to Jacob Bruynes at the Rock County Courthouse in Luverne, Minnesota. The young couple started their married life on a farm west of Luverne until moving to Hardwick, Minnesota in 1963. Gertrude was confirmed on November 21, 1965 at the Hardwick Lutheran Church. Jacob and Gertrude were blessed with five children. Gertrude remained in Hardwick until 2010 when she and her daughter Vicki moved into a condominium in Luverne. Gertrude was a hard worker. She was a housewife, she cleaned houses, was a custodian for Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick, as well as both the Mary Jane Brown Home and the Minnesota Veteran’s Home, and was employed with Fey Industries in Edgerton, Minnesota for five years. She never really retired. On Monday, March 8, 2021, Gertrude died peacefully at her home at the age of 86 years, 4 months, and 17 days.

Gertrude was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne and was active in many church activities. She enjoyed knitting, gardening, and playing cards, especially with the condo ladies. Gertrude worked hard her entire life. She loved a clean house and thought her house was never clean enough. She was also an animal lover and would take injured animals into her care. She loved square dancing and walking with her sister Fran for as long as she was able. More than anything, she loved her grand and great-grandchildren. She was very proud of them all.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Deb Fick of Woodbury, Minnesota, Vicky Bruynes of Luverne, Jacob (Terri) Bruynes of Hardwick, and Susan (Lee) Bitterman-Bruynes of Mitchell, South Dakota; nine grandchildren, Ryan (Kristy) Fick, Melissa Fick-Dorn, Lisa (Luke) Lien, Jacob (Katie) Bruynes, Caleb (Tricia) Bruynes, Jonathan (Mickie) Tooley, Jamison (Sarah) Tooley, Kyle (Andrea) Bitterman, and Nicole (Thomas) Argubright; fourteen great-grandchildren, Mersadez Fick, Avah Dorn, Martin Fick, Maxwell Fick, Madison Lien, Keegan Lien, Dante Tooley, Loretta Tooley, Dylan, Alex, and Douglas Bitterman, and Eoghan Edginton, Coen and June Bruynes; and siblings, Frances Vos of Luverne, Henry Berghorst of Benson, Minnesota, Martin (Judy) Berghorst of Wilmar, Minnesota, Arthur (special friend Pat) Berghorst of Canby, Minnesota, John (Sheila) Berghorst of Canby, Mary Wiering of Alexandria, Minnesota, and Jack (Julie) Berghorst of Canby. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jake; daughter, Martha Bruynes; sisters, Wilma DeBoer and Minnie Hubbling; brother, Frank Berghorst; and her parents, Sidney and Marie Berghorst.