Audrey Brunner

Audrey Brunner was a compassionate woman with an infectious laugh and an insatiable zest for life that was contagious to all those around her. She tenderly cared for her ailing husband for years, setting aside her own needs and desires in the process. Audrey was the eternal optimist who was able to find the silver lining surrounding any dark cloud and her positive spirit radiated to all who were placed in her path. Like a ray of sunshine, Audrey brightened the days of those blessed enough to have known her whether with her quick wit, her animated stories, or her warm demeanor.

The decade of the 1910s was a time of great change within our nation as it included the difficulties of labor unions and unsafe working conditions, the emergence of America as a “super power” with the end of WWI, and as the decade drew to a close, the beginning of the prosperity that would sustain us for the next decade. Grover and Martha (Fausz) McPherson, of Marshall, Michigan were looking forward to an exciting time within their own family as well, as they were anticipating the birth of their fourth child at any time. They were indeed blessed on February 20, 1919 with the healthy birth of their daughter, Audrey. As the fourth of six children in her family, Audrey moved to the Battle Creek area with her family when she was quite young, only to move back to Marshall again after a short time.

Of great significance during her younger years, was Audrey’s introduction to a young serviceman, William "Pete" Primm, when she was just 16 years old. He was stationed at Fort Custer where he served as a cook and Audrey cooked for the officers in New Buffalo as a civilian. It didn’t take long before a romance developed and led to marriage as well. Although the marriage later ended in divorce, they were greatly blessed with the birth of their daughter, Phyllis.

Audrey was blessed to again get lucky in love when she met Merle Brunner through a friend in Battle Creek. Audrey and Merle were true soul mates who fell madly in love and were soon united in marriage on October 29, 1951, marking the beginning of a new chapter in a love story which would span 50 years. After living in Marshall together for a few years, the couple relocated to Plainwell in 1957 where they purchased McPherson Cleaners from her brother. This became a business that they operated together for 25 years until they retired.

There were several attributes and interests that were unique to Audrey and that aided in making her the individual that her family and friends knew and loved. Her family was of great importance to Audrey and each member always knew they were deeply loved. She liked taking excellent care of her family too and one of the ways she did this was through her cooking. On Sundays, she enjoyed preparing a scrumptious meal and then going on a shopping trip to Battle Creek or Marshall. Audrey loved telling engaging stories, enjoyed listening to big band music, and was loyal to those all those placed in her path. She gained much peace and fulfillment through her affiliation with the Order of the Eastern Star, a fraternal organization open to both men and women which is based on teachings from the Bible, but is open to people of all monotheistic faiths

A great change was in store for Audrey when shortly after she and Merle retired, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Their plans for their retirement years changed as a result, but remaining true to her sunny disposition, Audrey remained positive about this unfortunate development as well. Audrey spent the next several years tenderly caring for the love of her life as his health challenges continued to progress. Most of her time was spent caring for Merle, but Audrey didn’t mind as she made it her life’s mission to love and care for others.

After Merle’s death in 2001, Audrey was able to enjoy things that she was not able to while caring for Merle. She delighted in her great grandchildren and even great-great grandchildren, and she spent as much time with them as she could. Audrey took day trips with her daughter where they took in many beautiful sights and adventures around them while additionally just enjoying the time they had to spend together.

After suffering a stroke a few years ago, Audrey remained positive and embraced the changes that were again occurring in her own life, although is wasn’t always easy.

To Audrey Brunner, life wasn’t about the acquisition of material wealth or the pursuit of recognition that so many spend their lifetimes chasing. To her, life was about laughter and love, and it was about the relationships that she fostered with those she treasured most, her beloved family. Audrey possessed a spirit of compassion and a propensity for sharing stories which her family and friends will forever cherish. Audrey was a beloved sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother who will be deeply missed.

Audrey Brunner died on April 26, 2009. Audrey’s family includes her daughter Phyllis Trine; her grandchildren, James VanCamp, Lisa VanCamp, Kelli (Wes) Knapp; four great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Audrey was preceded in death her parents three brothers, Dale McPherson, Alan McPherson and Douglas McPherson; two sisters, Mildred Martin and MaryBell Hembree. Visit with Audrey’s family and friends on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams (685-5881). Please www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign her guestbook online before coming to the funeral home.