Herman C. Brunke, Sr.

Herman C. Brunke, Sr. was born on 23 December, 1933, in Mount Clemens, Michigan (MI). He was the first child of Herman Edward Brunke and Annette (Casper) Brunke; he is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ruth (Haukkala) Brunke; three children, Herman Jr., Michael and Michelle; 9 Grandchildren and 6 Great Grandchildren; and his sister, Marge (Brunke) Fordyce.

Herman attended Michigan Technological University, in Houghton, MI and received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Civil Engineering in 1955. While attending Tech, Herman met Ruth A. Haukkala, from Houghton, MI. Herman and Ruth met through church functions at St. Peter & St. Paul Lutheran Church; they dated and became engaged while Ruth completed high school and Herman completed his bachelor’s degree. They were married on 3 September, 1955, at St. Peter & St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hancock, MI. Following the wedding, Herman and Ruth moved to Cleveland, Ohio, for a short time, where both Herman and Ruth worked for Standard Oil of Ohio. The couple returned to Houghton, MI and Michigan Tech; where Herman worked for the Army Corp of Engineers and pursued his Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, and Ruth worked for the MTU Alumni office. During this time Herman participated in two research deployments to Greenland in support of his Master’s degree work; which was completed in 1959. Herman was hired by the Michigan State Highway Department / Department of Transportation, and moved his family to Lansing, MI in 1958; he completed his career there and retired in 1992.

Herman and Ruth have three children; Herman Jr., Michael and Michelle. Herman Jr. and Michael were born in Hancock, MI and Michelle was born in Lansing, MI. Herman Jr., and his wife Maureen have four daughters; Tera, Meghan, Emily and Breanna. Michael and his wife Julie have three sons; Brent, Zachary and Skyler. Michelle is married to Tim Court; she has four sons; Vernon Jr., Craig, Jared and Derek.

Herman and Ruth are members of both Grace Lutheran Church in Lansing, MI and Christ the King Lutheran Church in Gladwin, MI. Herman served Grace Lutheran Church as a member of the church board, and as the Church Treasurer. Herman and Ruth retired to the Gladwin area over fourteen years ago.

Visitation is from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Sunday, Aug 12, in the Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 West Saginaw, Lansing. Funeral Services will be 1:30 P.M. Monday, August 13, 2018 at Grace Lutheran Church, 528 N. Martin Luther King Blvd. with Rev. John Schleicher officiating. Viewing will be from 12:30 to 1:30 P.M. Monday at church. Interment will be at Deepdale Memorial Park.

Contributions in memory of Herman may be made to Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan. http://www.epilespsymichigan.org/