Lowell G. Bruns

Lowell Gene Bruns was born December 25, 1932 in Spencer SD to George and Laura (Marquardt) Bruns.  He had three brothers and one sister:  Eldyn, Delmond, Dwayne, and Georgia.  In February 1945, Dwayne was killed in action in Luxembourg.  After attending high school, Lowell worked on his father’s farm in Wentworth (Lake County) SD.  On October 17, 1950, four months after the beginning of the Korean War, Lowell enlisted in the United States Army.  He spent the majority of his three-year enlistment in Korea and Japan, assigned to the Yokohama Engineering Depot. While serving in combat, Lowell was wounded and evacuated back to Yokohama Japan for medical treatment.  He received the Purple Heart in addition to the Korean Service Medal (one bronze service star) and the United Nations Service Medal.  Lowell received an honorable discharge as a Corporal on October 13, 1953.

While in Japan, he met his first wife, Yoshi Toyoshima.  They married in November 1952 and were blessed with three sons and one daughter -   Fran, Allen, Donald, and Michelle – upon their return to the United States.  Lowell resumed farming until he became a driver of heavy construction equipment using skills he learned in the Army.  He helped build the Oahe Dam on the Missouri River near Pierre SD.  He also worked as a long-haul truck driver throughout the Plaines states.  Lowell and Yoshi’s marriage ended in divorce.

Lowell moved to California where he sold tools and auto parts.  Through one of his customers, Lowell met Rosario Cruz in Berkeley CA.  They married in July 1987 and remained in CA until May 1994, when they moved to Rio Rancho NM.  For a while, Lowell worked for the security company PSI.  He loved taking Rose in their truck/trailer to camp and fish, especially around Mora NM.  He and Rose were members of Peace Lutheran Church, where Lowell sang in the choir, prior to transferring to Shepherd Lutheran Church.  Last year Lowell and Rose celebrated their 30th anniversary.

Lowell died February 18, 2018 in a Rio Rancho nursing home.  He is survived by his wife, his four children, his sister, 9 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren, as well as Rose’s children and grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3900 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque NM 87111, for use in the mercy fund.

Arrangements have been entrusted to

Southern Chapel

2400 Southern Blvd

Rio Rancho, NM 87124

505-892-9920