Frances Bruning

Frances Louise (Fridell) Bruning, 94, of Lenexa, KS, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2021.  Visitation will be 1:30pm, Wednesday, August 4th at the Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS.  Private family burial will follow at Johnson County Memorial Gardens.

Frances was born May 12, 1927, the youngest of two children born to Ralph Fridell and Mamie “Opal” (Gruver) Yuille of Robinson, KS.  In 1944, following her graduation from high school, she attended the University of Kansas (KU).  While in attendance at KU, she was a member of the Jay Janes spirit/pep squad.  She graduated 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy.  One of Frances’ accomplishments as an occupational therapist was starting the occupational therapy unit at Menorah Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri.  She worked for many years at the Nettleton Nursing Home, in addition to being a stay-at-home mother to her three children.    Frances married Virgil Bruning on September 2, 1950 in Halstead, KS and they spent 67 wonderful years together. Frances was an active member of the Overland Park Christian Church (OPCC) and also attended Hickman Mills Community Christian Church.  She was highly involved in the Congregational Care team providing care, support, and assistance to those in the church with needs, and continued this until shortly before her death.  Frances began the prayer shawl ministry at OPCC, knitting and presenting shawls to individuals who experienced loss or were needing comfort.  In her later years, she also began crocheting sleeping mats for the homeless.  Frances was very compassionate and always giving of herself.

Frances is preceded in death by her husband, Virgil Bruning, her brother, Myron “Dean” Fridell and a son-in-law, Gregory Bortka.

Frances is survived by a son, Daniel Bruning, MD and his wife, Cynthia Drake, MD, of Overland Park, KS; twin daughters, Lynn Davis and her husband Mike of Lenexa, KS, and Lee Bortka of Overland Park, KS; seven grandchildren: Grant Miner (Jenny), Laine Stobaugh (Jeff), Blake Bruning, Brad Davis (Sarah), Paige Davis, Riley Brockman (Terra), Max Bortka; and three great grandchildren: Leo and Layla Miner, and Stella Stobaugh.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to a Memorial Fund at the Overland Park Christian Church or Ascend Hospice.