Funeral Services for Ardelle Brunk, age 86 were held on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at Zion Lutheran Church in Adrian, MN. Ardelle passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at the Adrian Country Living Cottages in Adrian. She was born April 20, 1933 in Nobles County, Mn, the daughter of Ulysses and Myrtle (Olson) Thom. She grew up on the family farm near Rushmore, MN and attended school in Rushmore and Worthington, MN.
Ardelle married Donald Brunk on October 11, 1950 at Zion Lutheran Church in Adrian. In 1965, they move to the Thom family farm where they raised their family. Ardelle was always an active part of the farm and also had a job in addition to the farm work. She worked at the Crippled Children’s School in Worthington for a number of years and then as a waitress at the Nickerson Farms Restaurant in Adrian. She became a Nurses Aid at the Adrian Nursing Home and worked there until she retired at the age of 80.
Ardelle enjoyed baking. Anyone who stopped at the farm was invited in for a cup of coffee, probably heard a joke or two from Don, and got to sample Ardelle’s latest baked treat. She liked going camping with Don and would cook whatever he caught while fishing. Ardelle had many dogs over the years, mostly beagles and loved their companionship. She loved to go shopping and couldn’t resist a good sale, especially shoes.
Ardelle is survived by two children and their spouses, Marcia and Tony Kunkel of Adrian, MN and Bruce and Mary Brunk of Rushmore, MN; eight grandchildren, Scott and Michelle Brunk, Jill and Joey Roush, Jessie and James Jeffrey, and Eric and Carrie Kunkel; eight great grandchildren, Makayla Brunk, Kaitlyn Brunk, Brooklynn Jeffrey, Riley Brunk, Roman Jeffrey, Reese Kunkel, Wesley Kunkel, Parker Kunkel and Tate Kunkel; and a sister-in-law, Gayle Thom of Rogers, MN.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don, in 2009; and a son, Barry.
Adrian Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
