Obituary of Mildred E. Brunner

Mildred E. Brunner On Thursday, March 24, 2016 the commemoration of Jesus having the Last Supper with his disciples, Mildred E. Brunner joined the eternal heavenly banquet reuniting with her husband Robert; siblings Margaret, Dorothy, Catherine and Richard; son-in-law Jerry Kline and granddaughter Karen Elizabeth Williams. She traveled through life with a deep abiding faith and a quiet yet firm determination. Born in Akron on July 23, 1923, her grandparents were German immigrants and her father Anthony Hippley, a skilled craftsman shoemaker, emigrated from Germany as a teenager. As for many who came to Northeast Ohio at that time, the best employment was found in the rubber factories. He commenced working at Firestone and later married Mildred's mother, Catherine Walbeck. Together they reared a family during the Great Depression. Mildred learned values of frugality, patience, forgiveness and a sense of making family the uppermost focus. She attended St. Bernard grade school and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy, both on the same campus, the former school building next to the Church. Almost immediately she became part of the shared American effort for World War II by working in a local factory. After the success achieved by the Greatest Generation, of which her future husband served as a Chaplain's assistant on the Pacific Front, Mildred and Robert were married May 17, 1947 at the former St. Peter's Church. They were blessed with five children, all of whom survive: Edward (Linda), Dorothy Black (James), Margaret Williams (Brian), Lois Kline and Robert (Brenda). Mildred provided each child with that unique material love, nurturing their hopes and dreams and supplying the encouragement for them to be able to flap their wings when the time came to leave the nest. They enjoyed the benefit of Mildred's prowess in the kitchen particularly the special popcorn and cinnamon rolls. When there was a need to lend an ear, a shoulder to cry on or an embrace to reassure, she was always there. She enjoyed 64 wonderful years of marriage. It was truly an example of a man and woman joining together to become one flesh. They were outgoing with neighbors and played various card games with friends and relatives. Travelling to visit friends and relatives was a most enjoyable pastime. This included a multi-state excursion on an Amtrak train. Putting her faith in action; Mildred participated in the Altar Society and Hunger program as a parishioner at St. Bernard's Church. A regular attendee at Sunday Mass, conversing with her was never wasted and any encounter was both memorable and inspiring. She also found time to regularly assist with funeral meals and also prepare meals for those experiencing a stressful circumstance. But after she made not one pie but two or made an extra dish to ensure the family would have plenty. After her children reached school age, she returned to full time employment. For many years she worked at the downtown M. O'Neil Company store. She retired in 1985 as a sales auditor. Never overtly political or demonstrative in expressing her opinion, nevertheless she had a firm conviction, as did St. Paul, that in God there is neither male nor female and that a woman's place was not behind the man but beside him. There was a time at family gatherings when the table to be avoided was the one where Mildred and her sisters were sitting. Otherwise, you learned of a plethora of pending medical ailments and doomed prognosis. However, when her husband lost his mobility to neuropathy as well as his eyesight failing, Mildred rose to the challenge of providing needed daily care. This went on for nearly two years. The experience proved to be transformational as she allowed herself to be taken to a greater depth of service and compassion. Rarely did she now speak of or worry about her problems, but began to truly live in the present moment. A sense of tremendous pride and joy for Mildred were her 15 grandchildren: Jason Brunner, Alexis Puerta (Doug), Sara Roberts (Tom), Jeremiah Kline, Emily Barkham (Trevor), Elizabeth Black (Les Lemage), Rene Stufft (Jonathan), Anne Osburn (Josh), Colleen Dula (Joseph), Karl Brunner (Valerie), Kurt Brunner (Maura), Joshua Kline (Leah), Stephen Clark (Emily), Veronica Kline and Joseph Robert Williams. All of them remember the special times at her house and what grandmother's typically provide: cookies in the jar, candy in the dish and hugs for no reason. For Mildred, she actively participated in their lives from birth to graduation to marriage. Another benefit longevity provided was 25 great grandchildren (with number 26 due in August). Their names and birthdays were always remembered. She was a special welcome guest for them to enjoy and being around them was a source of energy for her. Yet she never let down her competitive guard when playing games as witnessed by by her doubling down with one of her great grandsons in a game of Zingo played at the nursing home. The family extends their sincerest gratitude to the staff of The Arbors at Fairlawn. In her brief time there she was made to feel special and her needs properly attended. Gratitude is also expressed to her primary care doctors and specialists who cared for her while a patient. Finally, special thanks are extended to the staff and residents of Annunciation Terrace where she lived for many years. She immensely enjoyed the feeling of community. Many of the buildings no longer stand and many of the people have passed. A manifestation of the impermanence of life. But as St. Paul writes in First Corinthians there is one thing that lasts. When everything else is gone, it will be love that remains. Celebrating Easter this year was melancholy. Mildred was always an integral part of every major Holiday. There is now one less place at the table, one conversation we cannot have and the homemade sugar cookies will be missing. But what is indelibly inscribed in our memories is the expression of pure love she always showed. We will be able to remember and share so future generations will know her story and how a life is to be lived. On Easter morn the tomb could not contain the Christ and by his rising, death no longer has any power to keep her or any of us bound. An early tradition had believers greet each other with this exhortation: JESUS IS RISEN! The response was supposed to reaffirm the Resurrection reality. This tradition continues every Easter during many Church services. Therefore, we can with confidence declare that Mildred, our mother, aunt, grandmother and friend is risen indeed. Alleluia! The family will receive friends Thursday 4 to 8 pm at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St. Akron. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 9:30 AM in St. Bernard Catholic Church, 44 University Ave, Akron OH 44308. Interment Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. Donations may be made to St. Bernard Hunger Program. (Anthony, AKRON, 330-724-1281, anthonyfh.com)»(Do not delete this line. It does not print. Text that is to appear on web must be entered before this line)