Joann Sturzenegger Brunson

Joann was born and raised in Los Angeles and called it home for most of her extraordinary and charmed life. She was the daughter of Alphonzo John (A.J.) and Alice Calhoun Sturzenegger.

Her father was a literal “Swiss army knife”. He graduated from the University of Nebraska, attended Harvard Law School, and was the head football coach at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He was a key assistant under Fielding “Hurry Up” Yost at Michigan. Alice and AJ relocated to Los Angeles where AJ coached for USC then UCLA. He played against Jim Thorpe, coached against Red Grange and coached Jack Robinson.

Alice was the “prettiest girl in Springfield Nebraska” and was the mortar that solidified AJ and the family’s foundation.

Joann attended Van Ness Elementary, John Burroughs Middle School, Los Angeles High, and Marlborough School and received a B.A. and Teaching Credential from UCLA in 1950.

Joann met her soulmate David Brunson, and they married on August 19, 1950.

Joann and David raised four sons (Charles, Steve, John and Jamie).

Joann was always leaning forward with her optimism and energy, smiling with grace no matter the circumstances. Whether it was shepherding five rambunctious boys (Dave included), steering 4th graders through lesson plans or guiding CEO junkets through Los Angeles tours, she commanded attention with a velvet glove powered by her beauty, blithe spirit and due north compass.

As she evolved from mid-century womanhood to 21st century oracle, she was committed to her optimism and buoyant spirit.

She was the master of the personal handwritten note, and elegant calendar milestone manager.

She was strategic in diffusing conflict and dissonance with two adages; “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all” and “look at the pretty flowers”.

She is survived by her sons Charles, John and Jamie, her daughters-in-law Pamela and Juliet and grandchildren KC, Colin, Tyler and Ryan, nieces Melissa, Marion, Leslie and Kate, nephews Jamie and Brady and cousins Ken, Suzanne and Karen.

She will meet again with her husband, parents, sister and son in the eternal.

And she is also survived by anyone she ever met. Because she loved everyone deeply and unconditionally.

What a gift.

Memorial Service will be at Church of the Epiphany, Oak Park CA on January 25th 2025 at 2 PM.