Obituary of Betty Mae Bruning

Bruning, Betty (Lorens), age 90 of Excelsior, MN passed away peacefully at her home on October 20, 2023.  Preceded in death by her loving husband Robert(Bob) Bruning, Parents Edward and Catherine Lorens, Brother Fred Lorens, Son Robert(Bob) Carlson, Daughter Sandra(Sandie) Johnson and Son-in-law Philip Johnson.  

Betty was born in Minneapolis on January 23, 1933. She attended Southwest High School and spent most of her working life as a secretary in many areas of business. She had 3 children whom she was very proud of.  

Bob and  Betty retired to the Brainerd Lakes area. They married in 1988 and had a wonderful life on Lake Sylvan where she enjoyed all types of entertaining. She loved hosting parties with her Timber Ridge neighbors, and hosting holidays and birthdays for family. So many memories of boating and ice skating on the lake, go kart rides, baking cookies, and love!

After moving Bob to Diamond Willow Assisted Living, Betty bought a home across the street to be near him. She continued to love & spend her days with him until he passed in 2009.  

Betty was an active member of the Nisswa Women’s Club and after Bob passed joined and became an active member of Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa. She loved music and people and became involved with the Brainerd Lakes Music Festival, sponsoring Dominic Rotella, a horn player, who became a great friend.  

In March of 2021 she moved to Excelsior to be closer to family. She so missed her Brainerd community but created a wonderful new one at The Waters of Excelsior. She shared her love of the music festival with residents by getting staff to stream the programs. She was able to create many great friendships with both staff and residents there. She was active almost right up to the end, walking daily and talking to everyone she met. Her family is so grateful she was able to spend her last days there.  

Her greatest joy however, was spending time with her family and especially her great grandchildren. They always left her with a huge smile. She was a classy lady right to the end and will be greatly missed.  

Survived by daughter Sharon Saul, daughter-in-law Sheila (Rudy) Youngbauer, grand daughters Jenna (Travis) Totz, Jackie (Harlan) Kartak, Cyndi Armstrong, sister-in-law Kathy Lorens, loving great grandchildren and nieces, and many friends.  

There will be no formal funeral services but a gathering of friends and family on Sunday, November 26  from 2 - 4PM at Cremation Society of Minnesota, 7110 France Avenue South, Edina, MN 55435 

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Brainerd Lakes Area Music Festival in Betty’s name.