Shirley Marie Bruns

Shirley Marie (Mein) Bruns, 75, passed away peacefully at her home on April 9, 2026. Shirley was born in Fort Collins and graduated from Poudre High School in 1968. She married the love of her life, Dennis Bruns, on September 11, 1981.During their 44 years of marriage, they enjoyed traveling to places like Hawaii, the Bahamas, Washington and San Francisco. She also enjoyed gardening, reading and watching Nascar and football.

Shirley loved being a stepmom to Cameron and Tyler. Family was very important to her and she enjoyed spending time with her siblings, her niece, Bobbi Adams, who she saw born and was close to all her life, and her many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She loved her many dog companions over the years, with her most recent, Peanut, providing love and comfort to her for the past 8 years. Shirley was a kind, compassionate, and fun person and was loved by everyone who knew her.

Shirley is survived by her stepsons Cameron (Jessica) Bruns of Boston, MA and Tyler (Hannah) Bruns of Marysville, WA, brothers Robert (Pat) Mein of Loveland, Colorado and Bill Mein of Fort Collins, Colorado, and her sister, Judy (Kirk) Gilbow of Laporte, Colorado, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and her Aunt Marie Mein of Kenmore, WA.

She is preceded in death by her husband Dennis Bruns, her parents, Harold and Dorothy Mein of Fort Collins, and her brother Jim (Alecia) Mein of Windsor, CO.

Shirley had a long successful career beginning with working as a Candy Striper at Poudre Valley Hospital and later working at Stallings Electric. She began a 34-year career at the City of Fort Collins in 1973 as Secretary for Water & Sewer, Administrative Aide for Water Utilities and Natural Resources, and as the Project Coordinator for the Curbside Recycling Program which she was very instrumental in developing. Outstanding Water Utilities Employee of the Year in 1977, APWA Workhorse Award in 1985, Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award in 1987, Government Recycling Awards in 1986, 1987, and 1988, and the EPIC Award in 1988. She also ran the City Credit Union for many years. She retired in 2005. After surviving a stroke in 2006, she became very involved in the Longmont Stroke Support Group, including developing and maintaining their website.

She also had many neighbors who became longtime friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the American Stroke Association at www.stroke.org.

Per her wishes, Shirley did not want a formal memorial service, but will be laid to rest with her late husband Dennis Locke Bruns at Fort Logan National Cemetery at a later date.

May she rest in peace.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howemortuary.com with her loving family.