Ann Louise Mager was born on June 18, 1933. She was the third child of Malinda Ruehl and Aloysius Francis Mager from Le Sueur, Minnesota. Ann never met her father, who died in a car accident before she was born.
In 1951, Ann graduated from Marshall High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She attended the University of Minnesota and was a contestant in the Miss Minnesota pageant; her talent was playing the banjo. College was expensive for Ann's working-class family, so her brother LeRoy paid for her first semester. She eventually left school to join the Navy for job skills and travel opportunities.
Ann enlisted in the Navy as a WAVE (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). WAVES typically worked in clerical jobs at shore duty stations. Ann rose to the rank of Petty Officer First Class/E6, serving her country for ten years. Through the Navy, Ann met Petty Officer and widower Bob Brunk, father of Scott. After Ann and Bob married, the Navy discharged Ann because she was now the mother of a 13-year-old stepson. At that time, mothers could not serve in the Navy! Ann was a proud veteran and a member of various veterans' organizations.
Bob and Ann had three more sons, Tim, Dave, and Dan. In 1970, they relocated to the suburbs of Detroit, settling in Madison Heights, Michigan. They eventually bought the Royal Oak Employment Agency, which they ran together in the 1980s and 1990s.
Ann was a devoted volunteer for her sons' activities and the Lamphere School District. She also worked as a classroom aide in the district for many years. Ann was a Watkins Sales Consultant (think vanilla versus Tupperware.) It can be confidently assumed that there is still Watkins products in her basement!
Ann was a charter member of the GFWC Madison Heights Women's Club, an international women's organization dedicated to community and volunteer service. Ann was an active member for 47 years. In 2017, the city of Madison Heights honored her by making her the Grand Marshal of their annual Memorial Day parade, an honor she shared with her husband Bob and son Dan.
After her children grew up, Ann picked up her banjo again as if no time had passed. She was a dedicated musician of the Ban-Joes of Michigan where she enjoyed their "jam" sessions, performing locally and attending the annual National Banjo Conventions.
Ann was extremely proud of her three sons and their families. She always wanted to hear more about her grandchildren and marveled at their achievements and adventures.
Living to 91 could be lonely at times, as loved ones and friends passed away, and health challenges forced her to give up her autonomy and home of 54 years. We can take comfort in knowing Ann struggles no more and is now at peace.
We love you, Ann, and will miss you forever.
Ann is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Robert Brunk; her stepson Scott Brunk; and her siblings Francis LeRoy Mager and LaDonna Mager Dahlen. She is survived by her sons Timothy (Kelly Klasen) Brunk of Shelby Township, Michigan; David (Diedre Hays) Brunk of Clarkson, Michigan; and Daniel (Ellen Moore) Brunk of Fairfax, Virginia. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Ryan (Taylor), Eric, Alex, Erin, Owen, Malinda, Molly, and Devin, as well as her first great-grandson Connor.
A visitation will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025 from 2-7 PM, with a military honors ceremony at 5 PM at Edward Swanson and Son Funeral Home, 30351 Dequindre Road, Madison Heights, MI 48071. Ann will be laid to rest privately next to her husband at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Ann's memory to the Madison Heights Women's Club. Envelopes will be available for donations at the visitation, or contact information is linked below.
