"Pete and Mary Ann I received notice of your Mom's passing just today. It's never easy to loose a parent. You had mentioned that after the seriousness of Alzheimer's had set in she was gone in mind and sprit, but the tough Minnesota body kept going. It's not a very fair disease for anyone to put up with, but the woman I knew is always in my memories. How our Mothers put up with any of us as kids was the question. I think they used the ,"boys will be boys" philosophy to get through it all. The cooking both our mothers did for the test kitchens made us the best fed families in the neighborhood. I'm old enough to realize remembering all the good things is best, and I enjoyed knowing your parents as well as anyone. It was one of the best times of my life. Keep in touch, I will be coming to Madison this summer for the HS reunion, and as always in Oct for the WDExpo. Regards to you two, your families Moe & Anne Bakke 559-348-3818"
In loving memory of
Helen P. Bruhn
April 23, 1913 - January 2, 2009
Madison -- Helen Bruhn, age 95, a longtime Madison resident, passed away at Oakwood Nursing Home on January 2, 2009. As the wife of UW Football Coach, Milt Bruhn, she was an ardent Badger fan, and was at his side throughout his career. She was a member of Luther Memorial Church, volunteering in the kitchen and offices there, as well as with the Red Cross. A skilled needle crafter, among her handicrafts were personalized knitted Christmas Stockings for all of her family members. She enjoyed her bridge clubs, antique club, and had a great love of traveling. As a Betty Crocker test cook, she evaluated recipes in her home kitchen. Many a wonderful meal was enjoyed at her table, and in her company. Helen was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and attended the University of Minnesota for two years after graduating from Mound High School. She is survived by sisters, Elizabeth Ehlers and Josephine Johnson; her son, Peter C. (Diana) Bruhn; daughter, Mary Anne Bruhn Gilbert; and grandchildren, Michele Bruhn, Sarah Bruhn, Jennifer Bruhn, and Christopher Gilbert; as well as many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Mildred and Ira Peterson; a sister, Mary; brother, Ira; and her husband. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. A visitation will be held one hour prior to services. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. A memorial service will be planned for June. Memorials are appreciated to the Oakwood Foundation, 6201 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705.
Tributes
"Dearest Bruhn Friends, Mary Anne and I have become close friends and so your loss is my loss too. The following poem is something Mary Anne had seen before and I found it online. I wish all of you peace and love..............from the great state of Texas.....................Barbara Licon Death is a Horizon I stand upon the ocean shore. As a ship at my side opens her sail to the morning breeze and begins to glide across the water blue. She is a beautiful sight. I stand and watch her as she glides with grace and strength into the clouds on the horizon. Just where the sky and the ocean meet and come to mingle with one another. When I hear someone cry out, "She is gone." and I must turn and say to them, "Yes, but gone only from sight." For within the mind and heart she can always be found. For life is eternal, Love is immortal, and death is only a horizon, and a horizon is nothing save the limits of our sight. I am a ship who has slipped beyond the horizon just out of sight, but not out of mind or heart. For my sails have now become wings and now I can soar."
"Dear Pete, Diana and the girls and MaryAnn, We send our deepest sympathies to you on the loss of your Mom. We know she is with Milt now and all is well again. We miss having them as the best neighbors on the planet!! She was a great lady! God bless, love Rocky & AJ Putnam and Ron Olson"