Ross W. Bruning, 82, of Minden, passed away on Sunday, July 25, 2021 at Kearney Regional Medical Center. A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 2, 2021 at the Minden Opera House with the Rev. Kelly Larsen officiating. Military honors will be presented following services at the Opera House by the Minden American Legion and Heartwell Veterans of Foreign Wars in conjunction with the United States Army Military Honors Team. There will be no visitation as the family has honored Ross' wish for cremation. Private family burial will take place at a later date at Bruning Cemetery in Bruning, NE. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to the Nebraska Christian School at 1847 Inskip Avenue, Central City, NE 68826. Craig Funeral Home is coordinating arrangements.

Ross William Bruning was born on April 14, 1939 in Hebron to Walter and Doris (Bowen) Bruning. He grew up in the Bruning area and attended school at rural country school and graduated from Bruning High School. Following graduation, he entered the United States Army where he faithfully served from 1958 to 1960.

Ross was united in marriage to JoAnn Middendorf on August 9, 1961 in Concordia, KS and to this union two children were born: Jodie W. Bruning and Gregory R. Bruning. The family made their home in Minden where he was a self-employed farrier (shoed horses), farmer and rancher.

Ross placed his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1974. He and JoAnn were members of Minden Evangelical Free Church where he served as a Church Elder, Deacon and taught in Awana Clubs. He most recently attended the Cornerstone Berean Church in Kearney.
Ross shared his enjoyment of horses as a 4-H Horse Club Leader and was active in the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys. In his retirement, he served on the Kearney County Supervisors board. He loved spending time with and visiting with family and friends, loved horses, cattle, rodeo and all things about the West.

Those left to cherish his memory include: his wife, JoAnn (Middendorf) Bruning of Minden; son, Jodie Bruning and wife, Lois Bruning (Smith) and granddaughter, Amy Kingston and husband, Dakota all of Minden; son, Greg Bruning and wife, Julie Bruning (Hofer) and granddaughter, Alexandra Bruning all of Chapman; brother, Wayne Bruning and wife, Helen, of Tucson, AZ; as well as a host of extended relatives and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Doris; brother, Stanley Bruning; sister, Nina Clark (Bruning).

Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com .