Kathleen Marie Brunkhorst

Kathleen Marie Brunkhorst, age 82, of Murphysboro, passed away at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, July 23, 2006, at the Rehab and Care Center of Jackson County in Murphysboro. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July, 26, 2006, at the United Methodist Church with Rev. Richard Lewis and Rev. Earl Renshaw officiating and burial at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Pettett Funeral Home and on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the church. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church or to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc. Kathleen was born on July 28, 1923, in Murphysboro, to Urba Hanson and Grace (Wright) Hanson. She was a graduate of Murphysboro Township High School in 1941. She had worked as a secretary at SIU-C in 1985. She then worked at different secretarial jobs including working for Henry Borgsmiller and Sons Wholesale Grocery and for Frederick J. Borgsmiller in the office at Grandpa John's. Then Kathleen worked at other part time secretarial jobs before retiring. Mrs. Brunkhorst was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church in Murphysboro, where she had been a member all her life. She was also a member of the choir and a first grade Sunday School teacher, a member of the United Methodist Women's Organization, where she took an very active part, and she participated in delivering Meals on Wheels. She was a member of the Eastern Star, White Shrine, the Murphysboro Senior Citizens and Kitchen Band, the Sewing Club and former Girl Scout leader. Mrs. Brunkhorst was a member of the Jackson County Nursing Home Auxiliary and served as the membership chairman, and she was a member of the St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary, where she was a volunteer at the Sunset Corner. Kathleen married John A. Brunkhorst on January 17, 1948, in Murphysboro, and he preceded her in death on June 15, 1999. Other survivors include three daughters and son in laws, Kathleen "Kathy" and Gerald Ripley of Murphysboro, Linda and John Gottlieb of Ellisville, MO and Barbara and Bob Onken of Eureka, MO; six grandchildren Christina Yankey, Jennifer Kerley, John Ripley, Kimberly Gottlieb, Shea Onken and Matthew Onken; two great grandchildren Madison Ripley and Makayla Ripley; one brother Ronald Hanson of St. Charles, MO, and one sister Susie Lawless of Murphysboro. She was preceded in death by one daughter Melissa Brunkhorst, one infant son Robert Dale Brunkhorst, one sister Pauline Bushey, and her parents.

Kathleen Marie Brunkhorst

July 28, 1923 - July 23, 2006