Dean Bruning

Dean Bruning, age 76, of Rogers, Ark., passed away Aug. 3, 2012, in Bentonville, Ark. He was born Sept. 6, 1935, on a farm north of Speed, Kan., to the late William and Velma Bruning. He was raised on the farm as a young boy before moving to Glade at the age of 7. Dean went to primary school in Glade, Kan., and high school in Phillipsburg, Kan., graduating in 1954. Dean married Connie Faye Ellis-Leffler June 30, 1962. Dean and Connie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary earlier this year. Dean spent seven years in the Army National Guard. He worked in the furniture business, specializing as a carpet installer for 20 years in Phillipsburg, Kan., including years at Miles Furniture and Olliff/Boeve Furniture. He also worked in maintenance at the Phillips County Hospital, Rogers School District and at a housing complex in Clinton, Mo., over the following 20 years. The love of Dean's life was his family, but most importantly his wife, Connie. Dean cherished every waking moment that he shared with Connie. Survivors include his wife, Connie of Rogers; his sister, Muriel Fix of Phillipsburg, Kan.; three sons, William and his wife, Stephanie, of Benton, Ark., Curtis and his wife, Angie, of Aurora, Colo., and Troy and his wife, Maurica, of Olathe, Kan.; brother-in-law, Vincent Ellis of San Marco, Calif.; and sister-in-law, Vada Unrein of Hutchinson, Kan. Dean is also survived by nine grandchildren, Lauren, Tristan, Eric, Grayson and Colin of Benton, Ark., Bo and Paige of Aurora, Colo., and Jessica and Dillon of Olathe, Kan. The family extends a special thanks to the Circle of Life Hospice for the kindness and loving care they provided Dean over the past months. A memorial has been set up in Dean Bruning's name for Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Ark. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 10:30 a.m. at Olliff and Boeve Funeral Home in Phillipsburg, Kan. Online condolences may be made at www.rollinsfuneral.com.