Carolee A. Bruner

Carolee A. Bruner, 89, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Funeral Mass will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, with a visitation one hour prior. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Carolee was born December 11, 1935, in Monticello, Iowa, the daughter of George and Bernice (Koppes) Dietiker. She graduated from St. Martin's High School in Cascade, Iowa, and later earned her nursing degree from Mercy School of Nursing. In 1959, Carolee married William Schulte; they later divorced. On February 27, 1989, she married Robert L. Bruner (Mr. B). She worked as a nurse for 41 years, including in the Emergency Room at Mercy Medical Center and in the offices of Dr. Thaler, Dr. Schwartz, and Dr. Devermann.

After retiring, Carolee remained active in her community, volunteering her time and delivering flowers for Weeds Flower Shop in Marion, Iowa. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, where she sang in the choir. Carolee enjoyed bowling, golfing, Mahjong, and playing cards. Most of all, she cherished time spent with her family.

Survivors include her sister, Elizabeth “Beth” Lyness and her two children, Zach and Amy, all of Ryan, Iowa; stepchildren, Roger (Clara) Bruner, Gary Bruner, Ronald (Judy) Bruner, Russ (Deb) Bruner, Barb Bruner, Brian Bruner, and Kris Bruner; 20 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and 16 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Bernice Dietiker; husband, Robert L. Bruner; stepdaughter, Janet Davidson; daughter-in-law, Lorrie Bruner; grandson, Randy Mackey, Sr.; great-grandson, Eli Vavra; great-great-grandson, Isaac Harris; and brother-in-law, Leslie Lyness.

Memorials may be directed to the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa, or to a charity of the donor’s choice, in loving memory of Carolee.