Marian J. Bruner

On January 13, 2018, Marian Jeanette Bruner, age 102, of Bowie, Md, went to be with her Lord. She was preceded in death by her father George H. Bruner, her mother Julia (Waterstradt) Bruner and her sister Marjorie Eileen Bruner. Well loved by everyone who knew her, she leaves a plethora of family, friends, admirers and loved ones to cherish her memory. In recent decades, Marian has been especially close to cousins, Russ Allen, Peggy Ulmet and Karen Burnett and was bonded heart to heart with "sons" Dan Johnson and Mark Crocco. Born in Vinton, Iowa on September 23, 1915, the family moved to Cedar Rapids in 1929. There she attended McKinley Junior High and Washington High School, graduating in 1932.  Four years later (1936) Marian graduated Magna Cum Laude from Coe College with a Major in English and Minors in French, Speech and Social Sciences. Although she always anticipated teaching in secondary education, Marian found as college ended, she had developed a strong interest in Christian education. With no money to specialize at that time she went to work first as secretary of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids for 5 years, much of which was for her mentor, the Pastor of the church, Dr. J. Renwick McCullough.  With money for preparing for a career in Christian education still lacking, Marian met several graduate students from the Biblical Seminary in New York City and decided that was where she'd like to continue her studies. She discovered the way was open for her to enroll there, again with scholarships and working at both the seminary and in churches.  In just 2 years Marian achieved a Master's degree in Religious Education, graduating in 1943. Never one to complain, some never heard how on Marian survived the worst train wreck in Long Island Rail Road history. After running to catch the train, she lay, injured and trapped for hours as 75 others lost their lives on Thanksgiving Eve in 1950. Choosing to stay in New York, Marian served the Reformed Church of America, NYC, working with Dr. Gerard Gnade, whom she admired very much.  There she held many positions including Director of Christian Education and .Assistant Secretary, Board of Missionary Pensions.  Marian and her sister Marjorie were always very close. Though their early careers took them on separate paths, in 1964, they decided on a great adventure.  After more than 20 years in NYC, Marian Bruner came to Washington. There she served another two decades as a U.S. Senate staffer, primarily as Executive Assistant to Oregon's long time Senator Mark Hatfield. Following her life's pattern of Christian service in Iowa and New York, Marian's Senate service focus revolved around navigating constituents through to satisfactory solutions, especially during the complications of the Vietnam Era. Together with their beloved mother Julia, Marian and Marjorie carefully chose a spot to build their new life, one of the first planned communities in America, the fledgling "Belair at Bowie". Marian Bruner enjoyed life. She enjoyed music, art, books and her newspaper.  She loved to watch politics, nature shows and all kinds of sports, especially dog shows, horse races and ball games. Above all, Marian enjoyed a close relationship with God.  In her careers, teaching classes and bible study, as a speaker and as a friend, she served by quiet example, supported with intercessory prayer.   A very early member of Belcroft Bible Church, an active leader in Christian Women's Club, an accomplished watercolor artist and member of the Bowie Artist Guild, Marian was also a talented, thoughtful writer and a dear trusted confidant, helping soothe and heal many hearts. Marian spent many days sharing the "view" in her Sunroom, visiting with loved ones and counting each bird and critter as old friends.  In later days, Marian's only expressed wish was to stay in the home she loved. Thanks to so many, that is exactly where she stayed until she went on to Heaven. Friends and Family will gather to celebrate her life on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at Belcroft Bible Church, 13000 Beechtree Lane, Bowie, MD 20715 at 11:00 am. Private Interment: Cedar Memorial Park, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the street ministry Marian supported:     Open Air Campaigners USA/Washington-Baltimore Region/Tom and Barbara Fox    Mailing Address: OAC, PO Box D, Nazareth, PA 18064         Link: http://www.oacusa.org/staff-fox.php .