Verna Joyce Bruns

Verna Joyce (Hopwood) Bruns, 82 of Streator passed away peacefully Friday (September 1, 2023) surrounded by her family at her residence in Streator, IL.

She was born on April 4, 1941, at home in Filmore, IL to Clarence and Pauline (Cook) Hopwood. She was the fifth born of nine siblings. She married Herman “Bones” Bruns on August 18, 1956. They had three children and lived in Streator since 1967.

Verna is survived son Dennis Bruns; daughters Donna (Ralph) Feken and Dana (Tim) Martin; grandchildren Cari (Rory) Bedeker, Brett (Megan W.) Martin, Kati (Eric) Vickers, Brooks (Mollie) Martin, and Brennon Martin; great-grandchildren Brynlee Bedeker, Wyatt and Harper Martin, and Martin and Marshall Vickers; and special nieces and nephews from the Hopwood family. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and five siblings.

She was one of the most selfless people you would ever meet. Verna’s focus was always her family and friends; starting by helping raise her younger siblings, to raising her own family at a young age, and spending lots of time with her grandkids and great-grand kids. She made a life in Streator; however, her heart was also down home. Her and Bones even rode their bicycles 150 miles down south to visit family.

She was proud of her work ethic and showed it her entire life. First, by collecting eggs and plucking chickens as a kid all the way through to retiring at 82 from the Streator High School cafeteria. She enjoyed all sporting events, particularly supporting SHS sports and traveling around to support her grandkids. She showed her love through food and hosting family dinners.

Private family services will be held at the Winterrowd Funeral Home with burial at Riverview Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons Brett, Brooks and Brennon Martin, and nephews Kyle, Seth and Tyler Yount.

She was a member of Ancona Church of Christ and the SHS Booster Club. Memorials may be made in her name to SHS Student Assistance Program and Jamming at the Clock.