Helen J. Bruss

Bruss, H. Jean (Atkinson), 83, of Winona, died Saturday, October 20, 2012 surrounded by loved ones. Jean was born June 22, 1929 in Bismarck North Dakota to Dorothy Schroeder and Hallard Atkinson. During high school Jean fell in love with Gerald E. Bruss and married on August 2, 1947 in Altura Minnesota. Jean was a member of the Central United Methodist Church and the Eastern Star.Jean enjoyed crocheting, reading, painting, and getting together with family. Perpetually generous, Jean often took care of friends and family, driving them to medical appointments, shopping, and other necessary trips. Together, Jean and Gerry loved motorcycling to Montana and through the Black Hills. Often times their vacations were very spontaneous and rarely planned in advance. Besides motorcycling they visited all of the 48 continental states, as well as Mexico and the Caribbean. She particularly treasured the special trips they made to Jellystone with their grandchildren. In addition to being a full-time homemaker, Jean worked at Winona Knitting Mills and as an election judge in Rollingstone Township. Accompanying her husband to the Winona Sportsman's Club, she was famous for serving thousands of Tushner's hotdogs, beans and chips to the members at their trap-shooting tournaments. Jean is survived by her sons Jerry (Carla) of Winona; Danny (Bonnie) of Winona; Steve (Becky) of Minnesota City; daughter Cindy Purdham of Fridley; grandchildren Tim, Ben, Nick, Amy, Clayton (Jackie), Adam and Allie Bruss, Tanya (Matt) Hoarn, Katie and Laura Purdham; 10 great-grandchildren; two friends like sisters: Lois Hackbarth and Helen Wetzel; seven half-brothers and sisters, many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Gerry; her son Mike and son-in-law Jim Purdham; her sister Shirley and brother Ernest.Funeral service will be held at 1 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, with visitation one hour prior, at Wesley United Methodist Church (formerly Central United Methodist Church on Broadway Ave. Winona). Please share a memory of Jean with the family, sign her online guestbook or view her video tribute when it becomes available online when it becomes available online at: www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/343542