1930-2025
Saturday, March 29, 2025 the skies over Hutchinson, KS opened and were filled with angelic harmony led by the beautiful bass voice of Herb singing “Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul”. When the song ended Herb took Lucille’s hand and together, they went to Heaven to be with Our Lord and Savior! Lucille Bruns, our mother, grandma, great grandma, and favorite teacher was born in McPherson, KS on February 17, 1930 to Robert Emmanuel and Mabel Frances (Peterson) Christopher. She grew up on a farm near McPherson, KS that was homesteaded June 23, 1881 by her great-grandfather Johan J. Christofferson. In 1916 Lucille’s grandfather David legally changed the name to Christopher. She graduated from McPherson High School in 1948 and then attended McPherson College, where she met her true love, Herb Bruns. They were married August 27, 1949 in the New Gottland Covenant Church, north of McPherson, and to this union two daughters were born; Patricia Marie in 1950 and Kris Susanne in 1955. After graduation from McPherson College, they began their (what proved to be lifelong) journey to Winona, KS. Their daughter Patricia was two weeks old when they arrived in Winona to begin the Bruns era of education which lasted almost 100 years.
Lucille was a teacher, homemaker, and their home was part rescue station. They often were given abandon or injured animals which were nurtured and returned to health. They even cared for an infant coyote that had lost its mother. “Queenie” became one of the family. Lucille completed her degree in early childhood education at Fort Hays State University. She touched and made a difference in so many lives in the school systems of Russell Springs, Page City, and Winona for 40 years. She was especially proud to have taught her youngest daughter; both her grandsons in the 5th grade and even let her grandsons occasionally get away with calling her Grandma. Some of her famous euphemisms were “ish”, “dog lips”, and “Childe Roland” from a poem written by Robert Browning. Lucille enriched her school classes with special touches such as the annual Easter egg tree and visits from special people and animals, and who can forget the “Bruns” paddle above her classroom door. When Lucille turned 65 in 1995 she retired from teaching. In 1996 she became the receptionist for Prairie Land Insurance, retiring for good in 2012. She cherished her lifelong friendship with Anne Lowe (owner of Prairieland Insurance and fellow teacher). Lucille took great pride in teaching her daughters to sew, crotchet, embroidery, and quilt. Skills her daughters still use almost daily. Lucille loved to keep active! She worked summers at various jobs including: helping Wilma Pfeiff at her café, working at Unitech in Brewster, continuing education classes and even at Winona Feed and Grain one summer running the scale for her son-in-law at harvest. She told Art that it was good experience but, “I’LL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN”! She so enjoyed her visits with neighbors who appreciated her common sense and honesty. Especially the Bass’s, Mountford’s, Finch’s, Stramel's, Margaret Snellbacker, Evelyn Langdon, Julie and Bruce Arnberger, and Pat Haremza. Lucille was especially fond of Ricardo Estrada from Toluca, Mexico; who was an exchange student living with the Kosters. Flying to Mexico to visit the Estrada’s’ in 1991 was a highlight for her as well as flying to Las Vegas accompanied by Art & Pat Koster, a good friend Erma Latham, and Mark and Pam Lewallen.
Gardening, especially her strawberry patch and tomatoes were a favorite pastime. Her house and yard were adorned with plants and flowers. Lucille had a special gift caring for her plants and nursing many fur babies back to health so that they became permanent members of her family. She loved her maple, redbud, cottonwood, and Colorado blue spruce trees. She also enjoyed preserving family photos, memories, and history by becoming an avid Creative Memories scrap booker.
The family moved Lucille to Legends of Hutchinson in August 2018 to be closer to her family.
Lucille so enjoyed watching Cameron and Joel during their high school athletic days. She rarely missed home games and was always supportive of anything they accomplished. She was also very active in the Winona United Methodist Church. Serving on many committees, church secretary/treasurer, women’s bible study, Wesleyan Night Circle, playing the piano occasionally, helped with many church activities including; helping with funeral lunches, church smorgasbord, and serving Lions Club meals. When she wasn’t able to attend church services, she always watched the Wichita UMC service. Lucille was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, society for women professional educators.
She was preceded in death by her husband Herbert. They celebrated 40 years of marriage before his passing May 23, 1990
She is survived by daughter, Patricia and husband Art Koster of Hutchinson, KS, daughter, Kris and Bill DuVall of Johnston, IA, grandson, Cameron and wife Jessica Koster of rural Buhler, KS, grandson, Joel and Alana Koster of Sugar Grove, Il. Six great-grandchildren, Ava Grace, Audrey Isabelle, Asher Grant, Axton Isaac Koster, Kinslee Nannette, and Sylvia Lucille Koster.
We are all better for having known Lucille …she is one of our better angels, at peace with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Graveside service will be held in Winona Cemetery, service information will be announced at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Phoenix Home Care and Hospice and Lifeline Animal Placement and Protections, Inc., Wichita, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.
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