Alan Curtiz Bruning left this world on the morning of September 13, 2023. It was a beautiful morning with sun shining through the windows, and he was filled to the brim with love from those closest to him. While he is not physically here with us, he leaves a legacy of love behind. Alan was a selfless man, a great man, and one that lived to serve others in any way that he could. He was active in his church, Holy Family Parish, in which he showed his devotion through acts of service. These acts of service carried over into his career, and especially at home with his loved ones. He always sought to make sure everyone was comfortable and well fed, while wanting nothing in return. Alan loved sports and outdoors, and he never missed a Chiefs or Royals game. He loved sharing this love with his children, which sometimes included irrational superstitions to keep up a winning streak. Alan didn’t know a stranger, which may have been a point of disdain with his children when they were teenagers. He couldn’t go into a store without finding something to chat with the cashier about, however everyone was better for it. Even in his last moments, he was making the room erupt in laughter, and teased his nurses any chance he got. His memory leaves behind countless stories, lots of dad jokes, and a sadness that can only be filled with the happy memories. He truly lived to make others lives better, and he did just that.
Alan is survived by his wife of 41 years, Karen. Just like in everything he did, he lived to make her happy and take care of her well. He was the proudest father of two children, Joshua and Stephanie. He never wavered in his support of his kids, and left an irreparable hole in their hearts. He spoke so highly of his family to everyone he knew. The only thing that made him prouder than his children were his grandchildren. Any moment that came up (or sometimes, even if one did not come up), Alan would share a picture and a story about his grandkids. He loved letting everyone know that Otto is almost walking, Ari is reading now, and Oakley has way more hair than he did.
Alan was preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Arletta Bruning. He had no siblings. His memory lives on through his wife Karen Bruning, his children Stephanie (Cameron) Barnes, Joshua (Hali) Bruning, grandchildren Ari and Otto Barnes, Oakley Bruning, and many nephews, nieces, in-laws, and cousins.
Services will take place at Holy Family Catholic Church in Kansas City, MO on September 19, 2023. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am, followed by service and lunch beginning at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in honor of Alan’s life to Love Inc. of Clay County.
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