Karen Ann Bruening

January 6, 1940 - December 9, 2020

Karen Ann Bruening, 80, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at her home from Alzheimer’s Disease. A funeral Mass will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2020, at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Norwalk, Iowa, with visitation one hour prior to Mass. Burial will follow at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Cumming, Iowa. All guests are respectfully requested to wear a mask and practice social distancing. Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids is assisting the family. Karen was born on January 6, 1940, in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of Earl and Elizabeth (Dunn) O’Donnell. She was united in marriage to Donald George Bruening on July 8, 1961, in Des Moines. Karen worked for the Iowa Department of Human Services for 37 years until her retirement in 2010. She loved to travel and socialize with friends and family. In 2011, Karen earned her Master Gardner certification. Survivors include her children, Dan Bruening of Ely, Iowa, and Mike Bruening of Cedar Rapids; brother, Bob O’Donnell of Sparks, Nevada; nieces, Mary Beth, Christine, Kathy, and Stephanie O’Donnell; and sister-in-law, Diann Swestka of Cresco, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Don Bruening. Memorials may be directed to the family.