Steven (Steve) Bruns

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21

Steven M. Bruns (Steve) of Ft. Myers, FL joined His Heavenly Father on July 9, 2023 at age 66. He was born August 6, 1956 in Brainard, MN and grew up in St. Peter, MN. In 1991, Steve married the love of his life, Paula Guell DuBeau, in Fond du Lac, WI and embraced her four children.

After several successful careers, Steve felt called by God to enter the ministry at age 36. His passion for sharing the saving Word led him to return to college with his wife. In 1997, he graduated from Martin Luther College, in New Ulm, MN, with a bachelor's degree in Staff Ministry. Steve served several congregations spreading God's Word through outreach activities, including starting preschools, teaching, and counseling people of all ages, serving the needs of the elderly and working with youth. While serving a congregation in the Atlanta area, Steve earned his master's degree in counseling from Argosy University.

After 9/11, God led Steve from the congregational setting to the streets where he worked at Atlanta Union Mission, a Christian addiction center for women and their children. After moving to Fort Myers, FL in 2008, Steve counseled at a homeless shelter and from there went to work for a Hospice. In 2016, Steve retired as a Chaplain from Page Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. Steve's God-given gifts emanated from his servant's heart which prepared him to understand and share the Gospel message with clients some of whom were down-trodden or facing end-of-life. Steve's first love was for his Savior, Jesus Christ, whom he loved sharing with every person he met.

Steve treasured spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. There was never a dull moment or joke left unsaid when he was with his grandkids. His favorite thing was attending church with his wife, Paula, who was his partner not just in marriage but as a fine example of a Christian woman who was indeed a helpmate to his calling. Steve also enjoyed cooking, woodworking, remodeling projects, reading, and rooting for his beloved Minnesota Vikings, especially when the Vikings beat Paula's favorite team, the Packers! Steve will be remembered for his ardent faith, contagious sense of humor, his caring personality and the friendship he extended to everyone he met.

Steve is survived by his wife of 32 years, Paula; four stepchildren; Jennifer (Kevin) O'Leary, Fond du Lac, WI, their two daughters Allison and Nora, Michael DuBeau, Daytona Beach Shores, FL, his daughter, Landry, Joette (Edson) Meyers, Cape Coral, FL, her two children Michael and Hope, Jodi (Geoff) May, Sugarhill, GA their son Riley, two brothers, Dave (Peggy) Bruns, MN, Kurt (Julie) Bruns of WI, two sisters Charyle Konerza-Kotval, MN, Cindy Schmit, MN, sister-in-law Judy (Bob) Bruns, MN, step-brother Danny Wiedow, MN, and several nieces and nephews. In addition, Steve is survived by Paula's six brothers, two sisters, and their spouses and families. Steve was preceded in death by his parents Dorothy and Carl Wiedow and Melvin Bruns, brother Bob Bruns, stepsister Barb Wiedow, nephew Nathan Bruns, two brothers-in-law Dwight Schmit and Tom Guell, twin granddaughters Miranda and Morgan O'Leary.

Visitation will be held August 1, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Abiding Love Lutheran Church, Cape Coral, FL with a memorial service following at 11:00 a.m. Lunch will be served in the fellowship Hall after the service. Steve will be laid to rest in the Memorial Garden at Abiding Love Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family. A gift will be made to Operation Underground Railroad in Steve's memory.