Wilbur “Butch” F. Bruna, 98, of Hanover, Kansas, passed away Friday, December 19, 2025, at the Hanover Hospital in Hanover.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 22, at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church in Marysville, with a rosary service beginning at 7:00 p.m.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 23, at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church in Marysville. Father David Metz and Father Quentin Schmitz will concelebrate the Mass, with assistance from Deacon Wayne Talbot.
The pallbearers will be his sons, Alan, Ted, Andy, Tony, Toby, and Danny Bruna. Honorary pallbearers include Don Landoll, Harold Bruna, Vince Bruna, Dr. Roger Warren, Duane Kreiensieck, and, posthumously, his good friend Lowell Herrs.
Burial will follow at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Hanover, with a luncheon afterward at the Hanover American Legion.
Butch was born July 13, 1927, at his parents’ farmhouse near Bremen, Kansas, the son of Joseph and Eleanor (Nespor) Bruna. After graduating from Hanover High School, he worked as a welder in Hanover. Near the end of World War II, he was drafted into the United States Army and later released. He was drafted again during the Korean War and later returned home.
In 1947, Butch and his brother Floyd purchased the Case farm dealership and welding shop in Hanover, establishing Bruna Implement. In 1949, they were offered the opportunity to become an International Harvester dealer. Short on capital, they were joined by their brother, George, and the three became equal partners. In 1964, the business expanded with a second location in Marysville, followed by a third location in Washington in 1980. At age 63, Butch sold his ownership interest to his sons Alan and Ted, with Tony later joining in ownership. Today, his daughter, Kelly, many of his grandsons, nephews, and great-nephews continue operating the family-owned dealership, carrying on the values that Butch and his brothers built the business upon. This family-owned and operated business is now at six locations in Kansas and northeast Nebraska.
On December 27, 1950, Butch was united in marriage to Mary Jo Tholl at St. John’s Catholic Church in Hanover. Eleven children were born to this union: Alan, Becky, Ted, Andy, Mary Beth, Coleen, Tony, Toby, Kelly, Danny, and Tena.
Butch enjoyed hunting, fishing, cutting wood, and helping on the family farm. He and his wife took great pride in decorating their home with Christmas lights each year. In their younger years, they traveled to various gatherings, dances and dance clubs performing music, hauling their organ, drums and equipment in their customized van known as “Misty Blue.”
He was a devoted member of St. John’s Catholic Church, Hanover Knights of Columbus, and the Hanover American Legion, where he proudly served as bugler. Butch was involved in many local civic organizations and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He especially treasured the memories made with his good friend Lloyd Wetter, including participating in the “Days of ’49” parade floats.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary Jo, on November 8, 2000; an infant daughter, Tena; an infant granddaughter, Margaret; a great-grandson, Michael; and eight brothers, Vince, George, John, Charlie, Floyd, Wes, Lester, and Gilbert.
Survivors include his ten children: Alan (Marie) Bruna, Becky (Jim) Giesbrecht, Ted (Carol) Bruna, Andy (Anne) Bruna, Mary Beth (Bill) Klecan, Coleen (Bob) Wells, Tony (Jeanne) Bruna, Toby (Barb) Bruna, Kelly (Tony) McGatlin, and Danny Bruna; forty-four grandchildren; eighty-six great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Enos Bruna, Fran Edwards, Caroline Bruna-Gerstner, and Lois Jean Kohler, and; brother-in-law Mike Tholl; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial fund has been established for the St. John’s Catholic Church Renovation Project. Contributions may be sent in care of the Hanover Mortuary, c/o Kinsley Mortuary, P.O. Box 147, Marysville, Kansas 66508.
