Robert “Bob” A. Brunner, age 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 21, 2022, with his loving wife and family around him and is now in the hands of Jesus. Bob was born in Shawano County on December 23, 1930, to Rolley and Barbara (Pevonka) Brunner; the 4th of 7 children. Bob attended Gresham High School and enlisted in the United States Army. He worked for 4 Wheel Drive and then General Motors for four years. At age 24, he purchased a farm in Shawano County and moved to Shawano. While farming in 1962, he attended and graduated from Barber school. He barbered in Crivitz, WI for a short time. In 1964, he opened Brunner’s Barber Shop on south main street in Shawano where he cut hair and gave friendly and financial advice to his many customers for 40 plus years. He retired and closed the barber shop in 2004. Since then, he has spent many hours studying and following the stock market, playing cards at the Legion Hall and working out at total fitness, still giving advice where and when needed. In 1961, Bob became Shawano School district’s first recipient of a GED, of which he was very proud. In 1984, he married Mary Jo Breitrick blending their two families of 11 children. They were married for 38 wonderful years. They spent many fun filled winters at Fort Meyers Beach Florida with friends and family. Bob was a hard worker and enjoyed life with his family and many friends. Now his work here is done, and he can rest safe in the hands of Jesus, whom he loved. Bob was a member of Sacred Heart Church., the American Legion Post and Shawano Community Fund.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jo of 38 years. He is also survived by their blended family: sons and daughters, Susan (Reed) Brunner-Gordon of Olympia, Washington, Mary Brunner-Cordell (Jim Burkel) of Green Bay, Kathy Brunner of Shawano, Jennifer (Bill) Green of Port Washington, WI, Bonnie Brunner (Joe Wilson) of Port Washington, WI, Lisa Brunner of Green Bay, WI, step-children: Theresa (Rick) Buth of Cecil, WI, Jeff (Sue) Breitrick of Shawano, Linda (Dean) Koeller of Shawano, WI, Ruth Breitrick of Gresham, WI; 6 grandchildren; 8 step-grandchildren; one great grandchild and 6 step-great grandchildren; sisters, Karen (Mike) Marsden of Appleton, WI, Sandy (Wayne) Buettner of Shawano, WI; sister-in-law, Barb Brunner of Wausau; special niece, Barb Laux and nephews, Tom Mehlberg and Gary Allhiser. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Bob was preceded in death by: his grandson, Eric Lemke; his brother, Ron (Barb); sisters, Arlene (Tom) Hearn, Helene (George) Peterman, Jane (Bud) Baumgartner; nephew, Mike Buettner; stepson, Mike Breitrick; and Delores (Raasch) Brunner, the mother of his six children.
A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Visitation will be held at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano on Wednesday, August 10th, from 4:00-8:00 pm and again at the church on Thursday from 9:30 am until the time of the service. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Shawano. Military Honors will be conducted at the cemetery.
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