Catherine Mary Brunke, age 99, of Roscommon, died on Tuesday May 26, 2026, at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital. Catherine was born May 23, 1927, in Halfway (East Detroit), Michigan, the daughter of Frank Plodzik and Florence Plodzik (Bishop). Catherine married Alexander Swiantaniowski and was married to him for 19 years, having her 4 children during this time, David, Gary, Mark and Nancy. Later went on to marry her loving husband Erhardt (Red) Brunke of nearly 55 years on July 19, 1969, in East Detroit, Michigan. Catherine was a hardworking and determined woman all of her life, on top of being a homemaker she started making fishing poles in the off hours to contribute to the household. After those first 19 years of being married she was then tasked with raising and supporting her 4 children on her own. Needing to start a career to support her children, she was hired as a letter carrier at the East Detroit Post Office in 1966. This is where she met Red, they married and spent a long, beautiful life together. Catherine and Red did everything together as a team. Catherine took pleasure in baking and cooking, especially her famous meatballs and canned applesauce, passing those skills down to her daughter and grandchildren. Together Catherine and Red enjoyed bowling, bike riding and going camping with family. Along with yearly Vegas trips with friends and family, Catherine enjoyed playing Euchre, Bingo and Pinochle. She was a regular at the casinos even at 98 years old, she loved her slots and poker machines. Catherine loved watching the Red Wings and watched every Tigers game, she could always somehow call what was going to happen before it did. After retiring from the Post Office Catherine and Red moved to Roscommon where they lived very happily for over 30 years until Red passed in 2024. She was most proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, they brought so much joy to her life. Catherine will be remembered by her friends and family for her love, quick wit and always having a tissue up her sleeve.
Catherine will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her children: David Swiantaniowski, Nancy Cantin; grandchildren: Jennifer Swiantaniowski, Michael (Rachel) Swiantaniowski, Peter Cantin, Gabrielle (Bryan) Grand, Shannan Pollet; great-grandchildren: Alexis, Andrew, Wesley, Isabella, Zachary, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Catherine is preceded in death by her parents; sons, Gary, Mark; son-in-law, David; granddaughter, Lauren; siblings, Leona, Margaret, Evelyn, Eleanor, Frank, Florence, Louise, Gertrude, Norbert.
Family and friends are invited for a Memorial gathering June 12, 2026, 3-8 PM at Kaul Funeral Home, 28433 Jefferson Ave, St Clair Shores, MI 48081. To be laid to rest at a later time along with her husband (Red) at Gerrish Township Cemetery in Roscommon.
