Ilse Bruntjen

    Ilse J. Bruntjen, a resident of Apple Valley in Clear Lake, passed away Friday, July 22, 2011 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa, surrounded by her family.
    A memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 27, 10:30 a.m., at Galilean Lutheran Church, 4454 255th St. Highway 18 West, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Scot McCluskey officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. A private family inurnment will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery at a later time.

    Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa in Ilse’s name.
    Ilse was born Feb. 3, 1923, the daughter of Gustav and Ella (Läwmrich) Rönnau in Hamburg, Germany. Following two years of college, Ilse worked for the government in Germany during WWII as a cartographer (map drawer).
    On June 24, 1944 Ilse married Hans W. Bruntjen in Hamburg. This union would be blessed with three daughters.
    Following WWII Ilse and Hans moved to the United States and eventually settled in Clear Lake.  Ilse loved spending time with her friends and socializing throughout the community.  For many years Ilse worked as a nurse’s aide at the Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake. 
    She was a former volunteer in many organizations, including Meals on Wheels and Hospice of North Iowa, as well as having been a former member of the Park and Rec. Board and donating countless hours to the Clear Lake elementary school where she helped students practice their reading. 
    Ilse was a member of the 21st Century Club, Galilean Lutheran Church, the Thursday morning breakfast group, and the birthday group.
    She is survived by her three daughters, Jean Harris, Katherine Cairns, and Teresa Bowen; grandchildren, Tara Carew and Andrew Chamberlain; three great-grandchildren, Morgan and Maddison Carew and Taiyo Chamberlain.
    Ilse was preceded in death by her husband, Hans, May 16, 2007.
    Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.