Funeral services for Gary Brunko of Morris, MN will be held Friday, May 7, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, rural Morris. Pastor Michael Hanson will be officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and will resume one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, near Deer Creek, Minnesota.
Gary Lee Brunko was the only child born to Oscar and Charlotte (Borchers) Brunko on September 22, 1949 in Wadena, Minnesota. Gary was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Deer Creek, Minnesota. He received his education at Deer Creek High School, graduating with the class of 1967. Following high school, he went on to Bemidji State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology in 1971. Gary took a job teaching Science and Biology at Morris Area High School and continued for the next 34 years. In 1973, Gary started Brunko Taxidermy, a business he owned and operated until his death. On September 28, 1985, Gary married Debra Sivers at First Lutheran Church in Morris by Pastor Ted Hein.
Gary was the head negotiator for the Morris Teachers’ Association for many years, a member of the 9F Sportsman’s Club, the Morris Rifle Club, Morris Eagles Club and the Sons of the American Legion. Gary was an avid hunter and fisherman. In his younger days, he hunted big game in both the US and Canada. He enjoyed hunting pheasant, ducks and geese, but his favorite was hunting Minnesota whitetail deer with his sons.
Gary died on Saturday, May 1, 2021 surrounded by his family at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND. He was 71 years old.
Gary is survived by his wife: Debra Brunko of Morris; sons: Thomas Brunko of Morris, Jason (Carmen) Sivers of Fargo, ND and Justin (Julene) Sivers of Alexandria; four grandchildren: Brady, Kylee, Samantha, and Chase Sivers; sister-in-law: Diane (Lowell) Scearcy of Brainerd; brother-in-law: David (Lynn Ganie) Ondris of MN & AZ; nieces and nephews: Kim (Aaron) Senn, Ryan Scearcy, Steve Ondris, Stacy (Troy) Haigh; and one great-niece, Stevie Haigh. He is preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mike and Frances Ondris; and brother-in-law, Donald Ondris.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of arrangements for Gary. To send a condolence to the family, on-line, visit www.pedersenfh.com.
