Warren Wendel Bruening followed his beloved wife Juanita to heaven on Tuesday, November 29, 2011, exactly one year to the day after her death. Warren passed away peacefully at St. Francis Medical Center following complications from surgery. Warren and Juanita had been residents of the Garden of the Gods Care Center in Colorado Springs for the last several years.
Warren graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School in 1939. He had many fond memories of his high school days which he loved to share with his family. After high school Warren attended auctioneer school in Iowa but could not stay away from Colorado for very long. Warren met Juanita at a square dance and after getting married on October 8, 1950, they spent the next 60 years side by side.
Warren’s lifelong career of over fifty years was in real estate. He was a proud member of the Colorado Springs Realtors Association. He served as President of the Colorado Springs Board of Realtors in 1974 and was chosen Realtor of the Year in 1975. He was an intricate part of the Exchangers Program but his unyielding devotion was to the Farm and Land Committee. He once quoted Theodore Roosevelt who said, “Every man owes some of his time to the upbuilding of the industry or profession to which he belongs”. Warren did that every day and the real estate industry will be forever grateful for his contributions. Warren was also instrumental in the founding of Cheyenne Village which helps mentally disabled adults with independent living. Warren never did officially retire but when he was not selling real estate he was enjoying his trips across the southwest with his wife or working in the garden which he continued to do until his passing.
Warren was born on January 13, 1921 at Glocner Hospital (Penrose) in Colorado Springs to Alvin J Sr. and Hazel (Benthrup) Bruening. He was preceded in death by his mother and father and his brother Alvin Jr. He is survived by his step-son Timothy Tholen, of Woodland Park, CO, his daughter Barbara Bruce (Neil) of Woodland Park, CO, his grandsons Ben Bruce (Lizzie) of Albuquerque, NM and Matt Bruce (Kristy) of Moscow, ID. He is also survived by his great-grand daughter Ashlyn and great-grandson Connor and another great-grandchild on the way. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews that loved him dearly.
Warren had a beautiful singing voice and was asked often to sing during various functions at the Garden of the Gods Care Center. His voice has been silenced but his songs will echo on in all of the many hearts he touched.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday Dec 8th at 10:00 am at the Shrine of Remembrance funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Teller Senior Coalition at PO Box 6956, Woodland Park, CO 80866 in the memory of Warren Bruening. The TSC provides many important services to the senior community of Teller County and he would be honored to be remembered in this way.