Dolores M. Brunner

Obituary

Dolores Marie Brunner was born on July 21, 1927, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Joseph and Helen (Ament) Wey. Dolores was baptized as an infant at the St. Cloud Orphan Home, as her father was employed there as well as where the family resided. She was confirmed in her faith as a youth in St. Cloud. Dolores received her education in St. Cloud and was a graduate of Cathedral High School Class of 1945.

On February 14, 1949, Dolores was united in marriage to Louis “Louie” Brunner at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with three children, LuAnne, Charles, and John. They shared 65 years of marriage prior to the passing of Louie on April 18, 2014.

Dolores was employed at the Stearns County Abstract Office in the Stearns County Court House. She started her career as a Dental Assistant while Louie was stationed in the Army. In June of 1960, Dolores and Louie moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota. She continued working as a Dental Assistant for Dr. D.S. Chernausek and Dr. R.W. Prochnow. After Dr. Chernausek retired in 1984, she continued to work for Dr. Prochnow for 36 years. During this time, Dolores furthered her education and acquired her Associate Degree in Applied Science and Radiology at the University of Minnesota to become a Certified Registered Dental Assistant. She retired in 2002. Dolores was a member of St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Hutchinson.

Dolores was active with Girls Scouts, Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce, and the Minnesota Dental Assistants Association, serving as President of the 3000-member group. She went with the delegation of University of Minnesota Dental Professionals to China in 1982. Dolores served on the Pioneerland Library Board for 7 years and also on the Board of the Southwest Area Multi County Multi Library Inter Library Exchange (SAMMIE). Along with community work, she was very active in her church, starting the nursery, President of the Pastoral Council, funeral cook, member of the Capital Campaign Committee, and Guardian-Ad-Litem. Dolores was extremely proud of being awarded the Bishop’s Medal in 1999. She held all offices in the Council of Catholic Women and received the New Ulm Diocese Woman of the Year Award in 2011.

Dolores had a love for computers and in the early days of computers owned one of the first Mac Computers. She enjoyed teaching and helping people learn computer skills. Dolores also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States with her husband, Louie, and also as a delegate to dental meetings. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren and friends.

Dolores passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, at the age of 97 years.

Blessed be her memory.

Dolores is survived by her:
Children, LuAnne Kockelman and her husband, Mark of Fairfax, MN,
Charles Brunner and his wife, Kim of Coon Rapids, MN,
John Brunner and his wife, Nita of Hutchinson, MN;
8 Grandchildren;
5 Great-grandchildren;
Many other relatives and friends.

Dolores is preceded in death by her Parents Joseph and Helen Wey; Husband, Louis Brunner; Brothers, Father Willima Wey, Anthony (Lorraine) Wey, Father Richard Wey, James (Joan) Wey, Edward Wey; Adopted Sister, Mary Hotra.