Cynthia Ann Bruster

Cynthia Ann Wagaman was the only child born to parents Robert and Twyla Appelgate Wagaman on December 30, 1946. She died on December 5, 2023, at the age of 76. There are no public services or burial planned, and her cremains have been divided between her daughters in matching floral bisque urns.
Cynthia graduated from Marshalltown High School with the class of 1965. She attended the American Institute of Business, graduating in 1966. After a short time of employment at Lennox Industries, she attended Marshalltown Area Community College School of Practical Nursing, graduating in 1971. She worked as a nurse for 15 years at the Marshalltown Hospital, transitioning then to Medical Records and Medical Transcription for more family-friendly working hours. Her entire working career was spent at the hospital until retirement.
On September 3, 1966, Cynthia and Douglas Bruster were married in the First Presbyterian Church in Marshalltown. After having two beautiful daughters, they divorced in 1986. She dedicated her entire single life to enjoying her children and their friends, hostessing frequent gatherings with pool, movies, music, soft drinks, and lots of snacks available to their guests. She was blessed in later life to receive joyful memory reminders from her daughters' many wonderful friends who regularly participated. Growing up as an only child, she enjoyed these events almost as much as the teenagers who attended.
During her marriage she was fortunate to have a wonderful mother-in-law, Evelyn Bruster, and sisters-in-law Susan Eckard and Julie Cermak. These girls were "sisters" she never expected to have, and she loved all three ladies to her dying day.
In her later years she was blessed to have a special companion, Al Grabenbauer, with whom she enjoyed a quiet life of favorite videos, neighborhood walks, day trips in Iowa, and sumptuous Sunday suppers from Al's pressure cooker.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Bob and Twyla, and beloved grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, close family friends, and pets.
Left to honor her memory are daughters Deidre (Lt. Col. Ret. Scott) Tasler, and their children Zachary (Melannie) Tasler, Cpt. Clay Tasler, Paige Tasler, and great-grandchildren Hayden and Esmeralda Tasler; and Jessica Copley and her children Evan (Damaris) Copley; Amelia Copley, and Gabriel Copley.
Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the cremation rites. For online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.
- Lovingly written by Cynthia