Richard Lee Brunken

1943 - 2025

Richard Lee Brunken

January 5, 1943 - August 29, 2025

Richard Lee Brunken, 82, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Friday, August 29, 2025, at Brookestone Acres in Columbus.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 4 at 10:30 AM, at First Baptist Church in Columbus, with Pastor Jairo Garcia officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue Thursday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. There will be a family prayer service on Thursday at 10:15 AM at the church. In lieu of flowers or stones, memorials are suggested to the donor or family choice. Interment with military honors will be held in the Columbus Cemetery.

Richard "Rich" Lee Brunken was born January 5, 1943, in Columbus, Nebraska to Fred and Elsie (Travers) Brunken. He graduated from Creston High School in 1960. After graduation he began his career in manufacturing and served in the National Guard. He worked most of his career at Douglas & Lomason, some at Behlen Manufacturing, and finally as a rural mail carrier.

He married Ruth Lange on March 11, 1967, at Shell Creek Baptist Church in Platte County, Nebraska. For 58 years they lived in Columbus, Nebraska where they raised their two children. Rich enjoyed family time, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, teasing his wife, Ruth, woodworking, reading, tinkering, and finding inventive ways to build and make things work. He loved his family sacrificially. He trusted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

Rich is survived by his wife, Ruth Brunken, Columbus, NE; son, Rob Brunken, Columbus, NE; daughter, Ronda Ryan, Columbus, NE; sister, Shirley (Ron) Schinkus, Juniata, NE; sister, Janet Rutten, Lincoln, NE; granddaughter, Taylor Brunken (Mike Rios), Norfolk, NE; granddaughter, Fayth (Zack) Wayman, Columbus, NE; grandson, Grant Brunken, Columbus, NE; great-granddaughter, Ryan Rios; great-grandson, Ramsey Rios; great-grandson, Connor Wayman; sister-in-law, Shirley (Joe) Rayman, Columbus, NE; sister-in-law, Betty Harlow, Columbus, NE; and sister-in-law, Joyce Lange, Plano, TX.

Rich was preceded in death by his father, Fred Brunken; mother, Elsie (Travers) Brunken; infant sister, Elinor Brunken; brother-in-law, Marvin Rutten; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Mary & Jim Chollar; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Doris & Harold Blair; and brother-in-law, Harold Harlow.

Condolences may be sent to www.gasshaney.com.