Reta Ann Bruene

Reta Ann Bruene

Reta Ann Bruene, 80, passed away unexpectedly December 13 at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. She was the daughter of Eugene Sr. and Dora (Henkel) Petersen and was born December 27, 1939, in Marshall County, Iowa. Reta was educated in Marshalltown Community Schools.

On November 3, 1957, Reta was united in marriage to Donald Bruene, and from this union they were blessed with a daughter, Sharon, and two sons, Donald (Wayne), and Michael. They farmed near Traer until 1980 when they moved to Toledo. Don worked at the Big Bear farm store and Reta ran her own ceramic business, Reta’s Ceramics. In addition to selling many of her creations, she attended craft shows and taught classes. In 1989, the couple moved to Boone, where Don managed the local farm store until he retired. Reta cooked and worked in food service at the Boone County Hospital for 22 years until she retired. In 2017, the couple moved to Grimes and became members of St. Paul Presbyterian Church in Johnston.

Reta is survived by her husband Don, her daughter Sharon of Grimes, her son Wayne (Joyce) of Ankeny, her daughter-in-law Nicole and granddaughter Hannah of Johnston, her grandson Tyler of Albia, three great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren, her sister Mary of Marshalltown, and numerous nieces and nephews. Reta is preceded in death by her son Michael, her parents, brothers Jack, Eugene, Gerald, Harold Lee, and sisters Betty, Shirley, and Dora Jean.

The family plans to have a service to honor Reta at a later time. Memorials can be directed to Merle Hay Funeral Home, 4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines IA 50310 or St Paul Presbyterian Church, 6426 Merle Hay Road, Johnston IA  50131.