Catherine 'Jean' Bruner

Catherine "Jean" Bruner, 88, passed away suddenly at Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital, August 26, 2019, with her family at her side.

 Born June 1, 1931, in Coalinga, Calif., she was the daughter of Zachary H. and Catherine (Laxague) Smith.

 On September 9, 1950, she married Jack Eugene Bruner in Avenal, Calif. Jean was employed with Mountain Bell while living in California. The family moved to Thermopolis in December 1964 as Jack's job transferred him to Wyoming. Jean was employed by J.C. Penney, IGA, and Consumers Grocery.

 A member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Wyoming Fiddler's Association, she enjoyed playing guitar. Her interests were crocheting, cooking, hunting and sewing.

 She is survived by her son, Dewey (Georgia) Bruner of Brownwood, Texas; daughter, Linda Zierke of Thermopolis; eight grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; five great, great-grandchildren; and her sister, Alice Stanley of Grand Junction, Colo. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Janice Bracken Contreras; grandson, Don Bracken; brothers, Zachary Smith, John and Martine Aldabe; and sister, Marie Bergen.

 A memorial gathering is planned for a later date.

 Memorials may be made to the VFW Auxiliary, 302 Broadway, Thermopolis or the Wyoming Fiddlers' Association,730 Rd 1AB, Powell, 82435.

 Mortimore Funeral Home is assisting the family and messages may be offered at http://www.mortfh.com.