Donely D. Brunner

Donely D. Brunner, 76, of 15 Lakeview Heights, Brule, Nebraska, 69127 passed away on June 9, 2024, at his home. 

Don was born January 23, 1948, in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, the son of Edward Victor and Laura Irene (Carlson) Brunner.  Don proudly served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Following his service, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines in 1974.  He was also a member of the Theta Tau fraternity.

Don married Mary K. Perkins in Rapid City, South Dakota, and they celebrated 50 years of marriage last month.

Don's career spanned 44 years in the electric industry, always associated with rural electric systems. He worked as a Lineman with West River Electric in Rapid City, South Dakota, from 1967-1973.  He then worked as a Project Engineer and Project Manager at Stanley Consultants in Muscatine, Iowa, from 1974-1984. After 27 years, Don retired as General Manager from High West Energy in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, in 2011.  Don was also certified as a Professional Engineer in Iowa, Missouri, and Wyoming.

Don is survived by his wife, Mary K.; his children, Cari Brunner-Sughroue, Brian (Talitha) Brunner, Tessa (Brad) Fraass, and John (Kimberly) Brunner; brothers Bruce (Colleen), Gary (Aileen), Kevin (Charita), Dean (Julie) and sister Lana (Don) Couch, sisters-in-law; Lois (Bill) Cox, Trudy (Jeff) Perkins-Hines and Gloria Cook. Don had 12 grandchildren, three great-grandsons, many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, John and Imogene (Kosch) Perkins, brothers-in-law; John Perkins, Jack Cook, and nephew Benjamin Cox.

In lieu of flowers, in honor of Don's support in establishing a Powerline Construction and Maintenance Technology program through Western Nebraska Community College (Alliance, NE) a Don Brunner Lineman Scholarship Fund has been established. Donations can be made to the family or to High West Energy, PO Box 519, Pine Bluffs, WY 82082. The scholarship will be for a deserving candidate from our membership area.  

Visitation will be on June 21 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala, Nebraska.  

A private family graveside service will be held at the Pine Bluffs Cemetery in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming at 1:30 p.m., June 21, officiated by Pastor Dan DeBruyn.  A community celebration for all friends and family to honor Don's life will be held after the graveside service at the Pine Bluffs Community Center from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.