Nina Lou Bruns

Nina Lou Bruns, 84, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. During the past several days she has been held in the arms of her Heavenly Father, surrounded by her loved ones, as her faith community and friends lifted her up in prayer. Born Oct. 6, 1933, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Nina was the daughter of Dean and Ruth Arnold. She was a 1951 graduate of Concordia Lutheran High School and a 1955 graduate of Valparaiso University, where she met her husband Kenneth A. Bruns. They were married that same year on Aug. 6, 1955. Nina taught school at Pershing Jr. High in Houston while Ken completed his military service as a Navy aviator. They lived in Pensacola, Fla., then Trenton, N.J. before returning to her Fort Wayne roots in 1961 to join her family business, Central States Supply Company. Nina held unswervingly to faith and family first. She served on the St. Paul's Lutheran and Valpo boards and guilds prior to becoming active at St. Michael's Lutheran Church. Nina was proud to be an active member in Bible Study Fellowship ministry since the 1970's, and served as a BSF leader for many years after her husband's passing in 1996. The legacy she passed on to many family and friends was God first, family second and then everything else will work out okay. She was blessed with a large network of treasured friends who embraced the same philosophy. Nina was an athlete and loved her sports, bridge club, walks and fireworks. She also loved water skiing at Clear Lake (she has the family record for the oldest to ski), tennis, bowling and any other sporting activity in which she could participate.

Nina loved people. She had strong opinions, and a stronger laugh, really never a bad word to say about anyone. Nina didn't have many bad days. Her philosophy was if you smile at the world, it will smile back. Whether friends or family, fair or inclement weather, you could find Nina in the middle of it all with a big smile. Her family remembers Nina's most endearing qualities as being able to hold in confidence and prayer the struggles of friends and family. She had an uncanny ability to make it a good day regardless of how she felt. She was a true example of faith and perseverance and one of her BEST life mottos was "If you going to pray, why worry and if you're going to worry, why pray." Everyone who knew Nina knows the zest, zeal and joy she brought to life. Although she was only 5'2", she was a force to be reckoned with of love, spunk and ornery. She loved being a mom and grandma and met each need of her family with a hopeful, and determined spirit. She loved athletics and the neighbors could usually hear her during a good IU game and/or an underdog upset. When it came to family and friends, she always protected, trusted and persevered. She ran a good race, and definitely earned many crowns. Nina is survived by her sisters, Barbara (Jerry) Knippa and Sandy (Dave) Hawk; brother-in-law, Dick (Diane) Bruns; sons, Richard (Tammy) and Robert Bruns; daughter, Becki Bruns; granddaughter, Alexis; grandsons, Tony (Jessi) and Benjamin (Kim) Bruns; and three great- grandchildren, Roman, Bailey and Carsyn. Nina was preceded her in death by her brother, Hugh Arnold; daughter, Beverly Bruns; and loving husband, Ken Bruns. Service is 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, 2131 Getz Road, Fort Wayne (IN 46804). Visitation is from 1 to 3 and 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St. Joe Road, Fort Wayne (IN 46804). In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church, 2101 S. Hacker Road, Brighton, MI 48114 (her grandson Pastor Benjamin Bruns congregation) or St. Michael's Lutheran Church 2131 Getz Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804.