Virginia Brunko

Surrounded by her family, Ginny, age 75, passed away on September 30, 2023 at Broen Home under the compassionate care of Knute Nelson Hospice.

Ginny was born on October 27, 1947 to LaVerne G. and Eileen (Crocker) Rentz in Wadena, MN. She was third of nine siblings. She grew up in Wadena, MN and graduated from Wadena High School in 1965. After graduation she worked as a cashier at Red Owl Grocery. She was hired as a secretary at Bemidji State University and then transferred to a similar position at Moorhead State University, Moorhead. Ginny worked for Time Jewelry in Wadena and St. Mary College in Xavier, KS while Chuck was in the military. She was a bank teller in Fergus Falls after her children were older.

On September 17, 1966, Ginny married Charles “Chuck” Brunko at Wadena United Methodist Church. Their first home was in Moorhead while Chuck completed his senior year of college. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Jason and Gina.

Ginny and Chuck lived in over 15 different locations during their first 10 years of marriage because of Chuck’s employment, including Toledo, OH where Jason was born and Kansas City, KS where Gina was born. These moves were made easier by Ginny’s ability to meet and connect with people wherever she went.

In retirement, Ginny enjoyed traveling with Chuck, visiting with her sisters on the phone, watching the Twins and Vikings and especially spending time with her family. She was an exceptional wife, mom, and Grandma. She loved her children and grandchildren dearly and attended all of the parties, concerts, shows, and sporting events she could. To say she was a proud Grandma would be an understatement. She always made time to talk about them or share pictures. In her eyes, they were “perfect” and there was no debating that.

Ginny was very active and held leadership positions at Grace United Methodist Church where she was a long-time member. She was Financial Secretary, member of Rachael Circle, a member of Grace United Methodist Women, and served on a number of commissions over the years. She was also a Hospice volunteer.

Ginny had a positive attitude, support from family and friends, and a strong faith in God that carried her through life and never wavered, even during her battle with colon cancer.

Preceding Ginny in death were her parents; in-law, Carl and Mary Brunko; sister-in-law, Mary Del Pratt; brother-in-law, Jim Pratt; nephew, Brad Pratt, and brother-in-law, Steve Dunker.

Ginny is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Chuck; her children, Jason (Sarah) of Aitkin and Gina (Jose) Marquez of Andover; four grandchildren, Andrew Marquez, Lucia Marquez, Sabine Brunko, and Signy Brunko; siblings, LeRoy (Bonnie) Rentz, Steven (Sandie) Rentz, LaVerna (Dennis) Mellesmoen, Bonnie (Jim) Crider, Rita Jensen, Jackie Dunker, Adele Rentz (Jack Wiemann), and Joyce Nix, and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials are preferred to Grace United Methodist Church in Fergus Falls or Knute Nelson Hospice.

Visitation: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 5, 2023 at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, and will resume one-hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 6, 2023 at Grace United Methodist Church, Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Lee Kantonen
Interment: Wadena Cemetery, Wadena, MN

Arrangement provided by Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.
Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com