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Lonna Bruner

September 12, 2021 - 00:00
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  • Lonna Bruner

Lonna Vellene Meyer Schweitzer Bruner was born July 7, 1940, on the Meyer home place, two and one-quarter miles south of Okarche.

She was the youngest of four daughters born to Rudolf and Margaret (Henrichs) Meyer.

Lonna was baptized July 28, 1940, by Pastor Paul A. Hoyer at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche.

On April 11, 1954, Lonna reaffirmed her baptismal vows and was confirmed by Pastor Paul A. Hoyer at St. John’s Lutheran Church.

After her high school graduation May 21, 1958, she moved to Wichita, Kan., with her first husband, who was in the United States Air Force.

One son, Michael Lawrence Schweitzer, was born from this marriage in England while the Schweitzer family was on military duty with the Air Force for three years.

Lonna began her working career as a teenager being a waitress in the Okarche cafes. She worked for Watkins Steel Co. in Wichita, Kan., during 1958 and 1959.

Upon returning to the United States in 1962, the Schweitzer family was stationed at Grand Forks AFB in North Dakota.

Lonna and family moved to Okarche in 1963. Lonna was employed by attorneys in the Oklahoma City and Kingfisher area for many years. She also worked for Carter Chevrolet in Okarche and received the Outstanding Employee Award from General Motors Acceptance Corporation.

She was an active member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church. She taught Sunday School many years and was a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Ladies Aid and the LWML Lamplighters.

She was a member of the Oklahoma City Paralegal Association; Oklahoma state sponsor for the Teenage Republicans (TARS); and was elected to the national board of directors of the Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ.

Lonna and Charles Wayne Bruner were united in marriage March 13, 1982.

From 1982 to the fall of 1998, Lonna and Charles made their home in Okarche.

They moved to Arlington, Texas, on Oct. 7, 1998. They were active members at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church of Arlington.

Lonna worked for Walmart for seven years and was awarded the Outstanding Employee of the Month award on several occasions before retiring Sept. 10, 2006.

She and her husband moved during the fall of 2004 to an acreage north of Alvarado, Texas.

Lonna became a member of the First United Methodist Church in Alvarado on Feb. 11, 2007.

She was active in Bible Class, the Piecemakers Ladies Quilting group, Alvarado Garden Club, Alvarado Clio Club, the First United Methodist Women’s morning group, the FUMC Youth Prayer Pal group as well as volunteering at the Helping Hands for Jesus.

She was also a board member of the Alvarado Senior Citizens Center.

During 2010, Lonna’s health made it difficult for trips out of the house. She was the family historian and enjoyed many crafts, especially ceramics, knitting afghans and making quilts for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Lonna died Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, at the age of 81.

She is survived by her husband of the home and her son Michael and wife Janet Lee, of Alvarado. Step-children are John and wife Molly Bruner of Grand Junction, Colo., Natalie and husband Bryce Bereuter of Kansas City, Mo., and James and wife Karen Bruner of Millington, Mich., as well as three grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Lonna is also survived by her three sisters, Laurnell E. Lenz, Florene M. and husband Kenneth Tipton, and Verilea E. and husband Gerald Gleichman, all of Okarche.

Lonna was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers-in-law, George Lenz, Leonard Cox, Russell Dunham, Sterling Williams and Robert Faust; one nephew, Steven Lenz; and one grandson, Payton Matlock.

Funeral service was Sept. 2 at Clayton Kay Vaughan Funeral Home with committal following at Glenwood Cemetery in Alvarado.

Memorials can be made to the music department of the First United Methodist Church, 301 S. Spears St., Alvarado, TX 76009.